Myron Markevich: "We are optimistic about the match of Andriy Shevchenko's wards and keep our fists up for our main team of the country"

11.06.2021 15:26

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Myron Markevich, the head of the UAF national team committee, believes that Andriy Shevchenko's team can shoot at the upcoming European Championship.

The European Championship starts today, in which, as you know, the national team of Ukraine will also take part. Myron Markevich, Chairman of the UAF National Teams Committee, spoke about his expectations before this tournament.

- Myron Bogdanovich, what do you expect from the future forum?

- Not only me, but all the fans are waiting for such a big tournament, which we have not seen for three years. Everyone missed this kind of competition. The main thing is that the European Championship will be held with the spectators, because it will not be a football holiday in the empty stands. I expect a great game from all teams.

- Who is the favorite of the Euro for you?

- It is definitely difficult to name someone. I would single out a few teams. These are France, Spain, Portugal, England, Belgium. I hope that the national team of Ukraine will go as far as possible.

- In terms of gaming qualities, who impresses you the most? We do not take into account the national team of Ukraine.

- The Belgians.

- This team is somewhat similar in style to the teams you led ...

- Yes (smiles). The Belgian national team has many great performers. I think their mentor has a headache, who to put in the starting lineup. And if Azar gets in shape, this team will be almost the main contender for me to win the European Championship.

- Do you think we will learn new names at this Euro?

- I think so. And I really want Ukrainian performers to be among them.

- Example?

- Ruslan Malinovsky and Oleksandr Zinchenko are already known (smiles). That's why I expect a breakthrough from Vitaliy Mykolenko, Ilya Zabarny, Georgy Bushchan ... I hope that Roman Yaremchuk will continue to score as he did in the Belgian championship.

- What are the strengths of Andriy Shevchenko's team?

- First of all, it is teamwork, because the main lineup is visible. There are footballers who played more often than others. I see the guys' confidence in their abilities. Especially since the physical condition of the blue-yellows is encouraging, and in recent days, I think, the coaching staff will bring the team to maximum functionality. We will be optimistic about the match of Andriy Shevchenko's wards in the group.

- When coaching your teams, you instilled in them an attacking style of play, accordingly, the coach must have a quality choice of strikers. Does Yaremchuk have good insurance?

- A difficult question. Yaremchuk's candidacy for a place in the start is out of competition, and the first substitute, I understand, will be Besedin. Let's see, maybe Dovbyk will shoot.

- To count on a less authoritative opponent in the playoffs, you need to win a group. Can we, for example, beat the Netherlands?

- Why not? Most often, the first game takes place in an approximately equal struggle. It is clear that it will not be easy with the owners, but not so terrible now as it is painted. In what style will the national team of Ukraine act? Only the head coach knows about this, but I think that our team can act on counterattacks and press the opponent in his half of the field. Let's see.

- Can the current national team of Ukraine block the results of 2012 and 2016?

- In 2016, I am generally silent, and in 2012? .. Everyone expects our team to at least leave the group, as Andriy Shevchenko said.

- And for you personally, what result of the blue-yellows would be considered satisfactory?

- I would like to see the national team of Ukraine in the semifinals of the European Championship. You need to set a high bar. With a good combination of circumstances and the accompanying fart, you can compete for a place in the top four teams on the continent. But here it is very important to avoid injuries, because for us it can be a problem. That's why we believe in the best and keep our fists up for our main team of the country.