Bucharest (DPA) – Ukraine will have to wait for the first time to qualify for the knockout round of a European football championship.
Due to the 1-0 defeat against Austria, coach Andrei Shevchenko missed out on second place in Group C, thus advancing straight to the last sixteen. To advance to the top four of the group, Ukraine now have to leave one more team.
That was the starting point: Ukraine finished the group with three points and 4-5 goals. It is tied with Finland points with a bad difference of 1: 3. Switzerland and the Czech Republic, on the other hand, are in third place, four points each, better than Ukraine and have already qualified for the round of 16.
If Ukraine progresses …
… In Group E Spain lost to Slovakia and Poland did not win against Sweden. If Slovakia does not beat Spain and Poland against Sweden, Ukraine will suffice – as long as Slovakia still have a bad target difference. This is not only if Slovakia loses by one goal: 3-4, 4-5 … If Slovakia falls 2-3, a reasonable game rating will be compared. In this case, if Slovakia loses by two goals, it will be enough for Ukraine.
Or …
… In Group F Portugal lost by three goals to France and Hungary did not win against Germany or Portugal lost against France and Hungary won by three goals against Germany. If Portugal loses and Germany loses 2-0, a fair game score between Germany and Ukraine will decide.
The Ukrainian coach was already in danger after the defeat against Austria. “I do not know what’s going to happen now, it remains to be seen what our fate will be,” said former world-class striker Shevchenko and made a sober decision: “We are not ready, not really competitive. We are still trying to create opportunities for the team to fight to the end.” “