Ukraine

The Ukrainian national soccer team, known as the "Zbirna", has had a remarkable history since its independence in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Prior to this period, many Ukrainian players were part of the Soviet team, contributing significantly to their successes. Here is a detailed biography of the Ukrainian national team, highlighting its most important historical facts and milestones.

Early Years and Formation

Following Ukraine's independence in 1991, the national team was officially formed in 1992. Their first official match was on April 29, 1992 against Hungary, in which they lost 3-1. These early years were crucial in establishing the team's identity and laying the foundations for its future development.

World Cup appearances

2006 World Cup

Ukraine's most notable World Cup appearance was in 2006 in Germany, where they managed to reach the quarterfinals under coach Oleh Blokhin. This tournament marked a historic milestone for the team.

Ukraine qualified for the World Cup by winning their European qualifying group, beating teams like Turkey, Denmark and Greece. In the World Cup group stage, Ukraine bounced back from an opening 4-0 loss to Spain with wins over Saudi Arabia (4-0) and Tunisia (1-0) to qualify for the round of 16.

In the round of 16, Ukraine faced Switzerland in a match that ended 0-0 and was decided in a penalty shootout, where Ukraine won 3-0. In the quarterfinals, they were eliminated by Italy with a 3-0 loss. Despite the elimination, reaching the quarterfinals was a significant achievement for Ukraine in their World Cup debut.

Euro appearances

Euro 2012

Ukraine co-hosted Euro 2012 with Poland, which allowed them to automatically participate in the tournament. Although they failed to advance beyond the group stage, their participation was important for the development of soccer in the country and for the promotion of their sporting infrastructure.

Euro 2016

At Euro 2016 in France, Ukraine had a disappointing performance, losing all three group stage matches against Germany, Northern Ireland and Poland without scoring a goal.

Euro 2020

Euro 2020, played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Ukraine reach the quarterfinals, their best performance at a European Championship. Under the leadership of Andriy Shevchenko, the team showed significant improvement, with players such as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Andriy Yarmolenko standing out.

Legendary Players

Andriy Shevchenko

Shevchenko is Ukraine's most iconic player and one of the most recognized strikers of his generation. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2004 and had an outstanding career with clubs such as AC Milan and Chelsea. Shevchenko was instrumental for the team at the 2006 World Cup and later became the national team's coach, leading the team at Euro 2020.

Serhiy Rebrov

Rebrov, known for his partnership with Shevchenko at Dynamo Kiev, also had a successful career at club level and was a key player for the national team for many years.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Part of the new generation of talent, Zinchenko has been an important figure for both the national team and Manchester City. His versatility and skill have been crucial to the team's recent successes.

Andriy Yarmolenko

Yarmolenko is another outstanding player of the current generation, known for his attacking prowess and ability to score important goals. He has been a leader within the team in several qualifying and international tournament campaigns.

Featured Coaches

Oleh Blokhin

Blokhin is a Ukrainian soccer legend, both as a player and coach. Under his guidance, Ukraine reached the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup, the greatest achievement in the team's history.

Andriy Shevchenko

As a coach, Shevchenko has taken Ukraine to new heights, including an outstanding performance at Euro 2020. His knowledge of the game and ability to inspire his players have been instrumental in the team's recent success.

Greatest Moments and Achievements

Quarterfinals at the 2006 World Cup

Reaching the quarterfinals in their first World Cup appearance was a monumental achievement for Ukraine. This success put Ukrainian soccer on the international map and provided a foundation for future developments.

Quarter-finals at EURO 2020

Ukraine's performance at Euro 2020, reaching the quarterfinals, demonstrated the growth and competitiveness of the team. This achievement was a testament to the talent of the players and the leadership of Shevchenko.

The Ukraine national soccer team has come a long way since its formation in 1992. With notable World Cup and European Championship appearances, and with a generation of talented players and skilled coaches, Ukraine has proven to be a respected competitor on the international stage. Its history is a testament to growth, perseverance and success in world soccer.