Ukrainians keen for a wartime success lament Euro elimination
Ukraine's national soccer team and its fans, hungry for success at Euro 2024 after more than two years of grinding war against Russia, lamented their elimination on Wednesday, but expressed pride nonetheless at their effort.
Ukraine drew 0-0 against Belgium and finished the first round of with four points - not good enough to advance in a group that featured a blanket finish among the four teams.
"Being in the tournament was very important for our country. We showed the character of our nation, after nearly 900 days of the war," Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov told reporters. "It's very important to show people in Europe, people in Ukraine, that we are still fighting."
Like many, he blamed the setback on allowing three goals in the team's opening defeat to Romania, a gap which made an impact when it came time to calculate goal difference.
"It was not only the three points, but after 1-0, 2-0, we didn't wake up....But in life you make mistakes," he said.
"I saw the players. Unfortunately, they have no emotion anymore. We have a very young national team. I can see they are optimistic about the future."
The national team has been a rallying point for Ukrainians throughout post-Soviet times and Euro qualification was a source of pride as the country's military fights to contain the slow advance of Russian forces along the 1,000-km (600-mile) front in the east and south.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who had hailed the team's 2-1 defeat of Slovakia, was philosophical about the latest outcome.
"A strong nation is one that maintains unity and in which people always help one another. Both in times of defeat and in times of victory," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.
"Despite the disappointing result, you fought for our country. Our victories still lie ahead. Victories for Ukraine. For now, let us stand firm, rise up and move forward to become stronger in the future."
At viewing parties throughout the country, seasoned soccer fans and others simply there to back the team were disappointed, but determined to get behind future successes.
As a border guard regiment gathered at a compound in Donetsk region, a few kilometres from the front line, one soldier held his head in his hands and another cradled his weapon as they watched the match.
"I would have liked to see them win, but a game is a game," said Roman, 33, a member of the regiment. "Some of us are playing sport, some of us are fighting. That's the way things are." REUTERS