MUNICH (AP) 鈥� Three years ago Ukraine reached the quarterfinals of the pandemic-delayed Euro 2020 in the country鈥檚 most successful European Championship to date.
But a lot has changed since then.
The war following the Russian invasion has been going on for two years and has been a constant and uniting force for this squad, which kicks off its Euro 2024 campaign in Munich on Monday.
鈥淚 went through many things in football and life and the fact I鈥檓 here is down to the warriors who defend our country, their amazing bravery. And I鈥檓 so grateful,鈥� Ukraine defender Illya Zabarnyi said on Sunday. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the major difference between the last Euros, because we have war in our country.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very difficult when you wake up and you think what鈥檚 happening with our nearest and dearest. Of course it can pressurise us, but it adds great motivation to go onto the pitch and do everything possible.鈥�
As well as Romania, Ukraine will face Belgium and Slovakia in .
And coach Serhiy Rebrov has called on his players to show the country's spirit as they prepare for their European Championship opener.
鈥淚 know all the players are getting, I am personally getting lots of messages from our fighters, from our soldiers, from our friends who are now fighting for Ukraine, for freedom of Ukraine and I鈥檓 sure they are very proud of us,鈥� Rebrov said.
鈥淲e are very proud for them, but they are telling us 鈥榳hen you are here show the spirit of Ukraine.鈥� I think this is very important. And this tournament is really about the spirit of our country.鈥�
Ukraine sees its soccer players 鈥� and Olympic athletes 鈥� as symbols of the country鈥檚 resilience and a way to keep the world's focus on the nation.
鈥淥f course its very emotional. We all know where we are now. I think it鈥檚 very good and very important to Ukraine to be on this forum,鈥� Rebrov said. 鈥淥f course now in our country football is not on the first place. It鈥檚 lots of people dead, lots of kids dead.
鈥淎nd all the players, when we are starting to play, we feel very (thankful) for our fighters, to our soldiers, to our supporters because now is a very difficult time for Ukraine. On each interview, each public meeting I remind 鈥� we want to remind that our war is continuing and we still need support. We are continuing to fight for our freedom.鈥�
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AP Euro 2024:
Daniella Matar, The Associated Press
