MUNICH, Germany – Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi said he is grateful to the “warriors” defending his country for giving him the opportunity to play in Monday's Euro 2024 opening match against Romania at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Ukraine's presence in Germany is its first participation in a major tournament since the Russian invasion began in 2022.
Bournemouth's Zabarnyi suggested Ukraine wouldn't even be in the finals if it weren't for those fighting for the country's future at home and vowed to give his all on the pitch in gratitude for their efforts.
“I've been through a lot both in football and in my life since the last Euro,” said Zabarnyi, who was just 18 at Euro 2020 (which was played in 2021 due to the pandemic).
“I think the fact that I am here now is due to our warriors who defend our country. They are incredible people who bravely win everything. I am very grateful to them.
“The main difference with previous European Championships is that there is war in our country and it is very difficult when you wake up and think about what is happening to your friends at home.
“Of course it can put pressure on everyone, but it adds a lot of motivation to go out on the field and do everything you can.
“For us it's a very emotional moment when you see the Ukrainian flags in the stadium… It's just when you're watching the news, what's happening at home, it's hard to put into words. [the feeling].
“I just want to thank everyone who supports us. It is important not only for football in Ukraine, but for our entire life, because every day our country wakes up with alarms and it is difficult.
“Children, women, civilians… many people die every day. I think this has to stop and of course it will be an emotional moment before the start.”
Ukraine has wanted to use the tournament to highlight its continued need for international support. This week, 13 players produced a video featuring images of wartime destruction and hardship in their hometowns, 27 months after Russia's full-scale invasion.
Coach Sergiy Rebrov reiterated the importance of Ukraine using Euro 2024 as a platform and showing the country's spirit.
“Of course it's very emotional,” he said at a news conference. “I think it is very good and very important that Ukraine is in this forum. All Ukrainians want to be a European nation and it is important that Ukraine is represented at the European Championship.
“Football is not in first place right now, of course. Many people are dead, children are dead and all the players, when we start playing, we do it with great gratitude towards our soldiers and our fans because now is a moment very difficult for Ukraine.
“In every interview, I remember that we are grateful to Europe, there has been a lot of support, but I want to remember that our war continues and we need support.
“I personally receive a lot of messages from fighters, soldiers and friends who fight for Ukraine, for the freedom of Ukraine. They are proud of us; we are proud of them, they say that we are here to show the spirit of Ukraine. This tournament is really about of the spirit of our country.
Slovakia and Belgium complete Group E along with Ukraine and Romania, and Rebrov's team is set to perform well due to the presence of players from some of Europe's biggest clubs.
Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin, Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko, Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk and Girona duo Viktor Tsygankov and Artem Dovbyk, the latter of whom was LaLiga's top scorer this season, are expected to start on Monday, but Rebrov He warned that it won't be easy. .
“In the Euro Cup there are no weak teams,” he added. “People say that Romania is not a strong team, but they did very well in their qualifying group. They were undefeated in 10 matches and have been successful thanks to their discipline and team effort.
“I don't know why everyone says we are favourites. All the teams are strong and deserve to be here. We respect Romania, but we also have to think about ourselves and concentrate on every game ahead.”
After Romania, Ukraine will face Slovakia on June 21 in Dusseldorf and then close the group against Belgium on June 26 in Stuttgart.
