The manager of the national team of cyber football: "Our team is in the top 16 in Europe"

22.02.2020 17:42

Photo by Volodymyr Rasner

The day before, the cyber football team of Ukraine held a photo session and talked to the media in the Football House in Kyiv.

The manager of the national team of Ukraine in cyber football Kostiantyn Demyanenko told journalists about the preparation of our team for the 2020 European Championship. We will remind that for the results of the draw In Group Stage 1, Ukraine reached Group H together with Italy, Wales, Montenegro, Andorra and the Faroe Islands. 

"In the national team of Ukraine, without a doubt, gathered the best players in the country. There were no other options. Meetings, trainings, sparringings are already underway. The results are still encouraging. I'm happy with the guys now, everyone is working hard.

We are still new to big cyber football, and this should be understood. Yes, we played a lot before, but not on the same scale as at the upcoming European Championship. The responsibility is very great. One week before the start of the first group stage of selection, we plan to train for five to eight hours every day. So far, we play sparring three times a week, we negotiate with sparring partners, "said the manager of the national team of Ukraine.

Konstantin Demyanenko noted that the obvious favorite of our selection group is Italy, which players know a lot about.

"Italy is a professional team with great performers. Instead, we know nothing about the players of other national teams from group H. On the other hand, our rivals have little information about our guys, because they also did not participate in major international competitions. Therefore, everyone will treat each other with caution. Yes, Ukraine is stronger in terms of rating than other opponents, except Italy. But in the absence of any information about the Andorrans or Montenegrins, we can say that these will be fights with a large element of surprise. 

Photo by Volodymyr Rasner

However, with each team we will have two matches with an interval of two weeks. And after the first day of the game it will be possible to draw some conclusions. The level of the opponent will become known, and it will be possible to prepare more purposefully. As for the decision on which of the guys will play against each of the opponents, it will be made on the eve of the matches. All matches will be played in one day, and much will depend on the psychological state of our players. Plus we will look at the results of sparring before the qualifying tournament. Will play, of course, the strongest. Therefore, I think the guys will not be offended by my choice. In any case, everyone will play, "the blue-and-yellow coach emphasized.

"The national team of Ukraine does not have a minimum task and a maximum task. There is one task - to go to eEURO-2020, and we will fulfill it. You may have to overcome the second qualifying round, which will also take place online. There will be two groups of five teams. The three strongest of each will reach the final of the European Championship. But there all the opponents will be strong, because in each group of the first stage of selection there are at least two top teams, and elsewhere three. We will have to cling, fight, show everything we are capable of. But we have all the opportunities to qualify, because the fact that we are in the top 16 in Europe is unquestionable, "said Konstantin Demyanenko.

"In each case, the composition of his team for the match will be determined by the player. The manager can give some advice, but it is an individual choice. Each of the players professes his own style. Some like dribbling, some - pressing or power football. The role of the coach here is somewhat different from the role of the coach in big football, the tactics and composition are still chosen by the player, because he played them for years. I can't make him play any other way. But, of course, we will consult. We have a team of five performers, we will choose the optimal style for everyone, "- summed up the manager of the national team of Ukraine.  

It will be recalled that the winners of 10 qualifying groups of group stage 1 will receive passes to the final tournament of the 2020 European Championship. The second-placed teams will form two groups of five teams and will be able to make it to the finals of eURO-2020 through group stage 2. Tickets to the finals will be awarded to the top three teams from each group.

Competitions in our qualification group will be held on March 16 and March 30. The final tournament among the 16 best national teams of Europe will take place on July 9-10 in London.