Andriy Pavelko: "Only the results in our group will show whether this draw was good or bad"

09.10.2022 16:27

Photo by uefa.com

President of the Ukrainian Football Association, member of the UEFA Executive Committee Andriy Pavelko commented on the results of the draw for the Euro-2024 qualifying tournament.

The 2024 European Championship qualification draw took place in Frankfurt am Main, according to the results of which the blue-yellow have dropped to group C, where they will meet with Italy, England, North Macedonia and Malta. UAF President Andriy Pavelko shared his thoughts on the draw.

"I am sure that all fans are delighted with such a draw. My colleagues from other football associations say that this is a "group of death". But I believe that this is an opportunity for our football players and our country to show the whole world that we are not afraid of big names and are ready to fight. I'm sure only the results in this group will tell if this draw was good or bad.

Our players will have the opportunity to meet top opponents. We are lucky to be in the same group with two current finalists of the European Championship. This is an important stage for our football players to prove to themselves and the whole world that we are capable of playing on an equal footing with such opponents.

I am sure that Malta and North Macedonia will be good opponents both for us and for Italy and England. However, the football field will show everything.

I have an important task for our players — that they remember that we have a country that is protected by our soldiers and heroes. We would all very much like the matches with our rivals to take place in Ukraine - in Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Donetsk, Crimea. Our heroes, ZSU, give us the opportunity to play football. The dream of our fans is to defeat all rivals.

So let's see, the draw is very unusual. But I am sure that our football players are doing well. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!" Andriy Pavelko said.