Ukraine’s coach Andriy Shevchenko has said that his team is not afraid to face England after defeating Sweden to book a quarter-final in Euro 2020 against Gareth Southgate’s team, who saw off Germany in a historic victory at Wembley a few hours earlier.
The former Chelsea and AC Milan striker, who was named national team coach in 2016, said that England’s strength will only motivate its players to cause outrage.
Ukraine impressed in their opening two group games but picked up just three points before a final defeat to Austria left them in third place, waiting for other results to send them through the knockout stages. In the end, they scraped it as the lowest ranked third place team to advance.
But a 2-1 victory over Sweden in the 16s, secured in overtime by striker Artem Dovbyk’s first international goal, gave Shevchenko’s team their first ever European knockout victory and a first tournament knockout win ever without penalty.
Ukraine beat Sweden in overtime in the 16s / Robert Perry – Pool / Getty Images
Despite England’s confidence, Ukraine will make sure to keep its own story going and Shevchenko is convinced that his team is not afraid of anything, even though he is aware of the magnitude of the task.
“England are a fantastic team, they have a deep bench, an outstanding coach and we are fully aware of how tough the game will be,” he was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
“I saw all three of their group matches, not the win over Germany because we had to prepare for our own game with Sweden. They are incredibly difficult to score but their strength should not scare us. It should motivate us for everything is possible in football as in life and we will play our hearts to give our fans even more to cheer on. ”
A winner in overtime! ?
Dovbyk sends Ukraine to the quarterfinals against England! ? pic.twitter.com/Lw5pJOBser
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) June 29, 2021
England and Ukraine meet in the quarterfinals in Rome on Saturday 3 July. This will be the second time the countries play each other in a European Championship tournament after being paired in the same group at the European Championship 2012.
England won 1-0 at the time thanks to a lone goal from Wayne Rooney, while a veteran Shevchenko played in what was actually the last match of his famous career.
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