Belgium and former Bundesliga coach Domenico Tedesco have failed to reach the eighth finals of the European Football Championship Ukraine is eliminated. The two teams drew 0-0 at the end of Group E in Stuttgart. As the parallel match between Slovakia and Romania ended 1-1, the Ukrainians remained at the bottom of the table. Belgium finished the preliminary round in second place. The Red Devils will face title candidates and number two France next Monday in Düsseldorf.
The Ukrainians’ European Championship trip is over. One of the missions of coach Serhij Rebrow’s team at this tournament was to distract the people at home from the suffering caused by Russia’s war of aggression, at least for a while. Shortly after the kick-off, Ukrainian fans in the stadium displayed a banner with the portrait of the fallen soldier Nazariy Hryntsevych of the controversial Azov Brigade. According to the responsible fan organization, it should be a reminder that thousands of supporters of the Ukrainian team are fighting on the front lines to defend their country against Russia.
Swabian home game for Tedesco
“I would be lying if I said it was a normal stadium and environment for me,” Tedesco said before the match. The 38-year-old was born in Italy, but grew up in the Esslingen district. Family and friends came to the arena to support the former young coach of VfB Stuttgart at his personal European Championship home match.
And they initially saw a dominant Belgian team. When things got dangerous, Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne was usually involved. In the seventh minute he served Romelu Lukaku, but the powerful striker was denied by Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatolij Trubin. Lukaku is still waiting for his first goal of the tournament. The 31-year-old was denied a total of three goals in the first two group matches.
Ukraine lacks offensive determination
From the middle of the first half, the Ukrainians, who were without Chelsea’s injured Mychajlo Mudryk, ventured forward more often. Sometimes they played their attacks too poorly, sometimes too hastily. A long shot from Roman Jaremtschuk was not a big problem for Wolfsburg’s Koen Casteels in the Belgian goal (20th) – and one of the few highlights in the first 45 minutes. During the break there were also some whistles from the stands.
Even after the break, both teams initially hardly increased the risk. The Belgians had more ball possession, but still had few successful offensive actions. After about an hour, Lukaku tried again, but could not overcome Trubin with his low shot in the Ukrainian goal.
Casteels saves on the line
An attack where… Belgium Yannick Carrasco wasted the ball and did not pass it to the detached De Bruyne, which was symbolic of the mediocre level of the match (67′). A shot from Carrasco shortly afterwards was better, but not good enough.
In the final phase, the Belgian fans had to worry about their place in the eighth finals, as Casteels just cleared a corner that was aimed straight at the goal. The Ukrainians continued to push for the much-needed goal, but also missed the best finishing chances.
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Belgium and former Bundesliga coach Domenico Tedesco have failed to reach the eighth finals of the European Football Championship Ukraine is eliminated. The two teams drew 0-0 at the end of Group E in Stuttgart. As the parallel match between Slovakia and Romania ended 1-1, the Ukrainians remained at the bottom of the table. Belgium finished the preliminary round in second place. The Red Devils will face title candidates and number two France next Monday in Düsseldorf.
The Ukrainians’ European Championship trip is over. One of the missions of coach Serhij Rebrow’s team at this tournament was to distract the people at home from the suffering caused by Russia’s war of aggression, at least for a while. Shortly after the kick-off, Ukrainian fans in the stadium displayed a banner with the portrait of the fallen soldier Nazariy Hryntsevych of the controversial Azov Brigade. According to the responsible fan organization, it should be a reminder that thousands of supporters of the Ukrainian team are fighting on the front lines to defend their country against Russia.