UKRAINE and North Macedonia go head to head in their second Euro 2020 games with both sides desperate to get some points on the board.
Ukraine were involved in the most thrilling match of the tournament so far, losing narrowly in a 3-2 defeat to Holland.
And after a superb effort in the Nations League, Igor Angelovski will believe his North Macedonia side will have what it takes to reach the last-16 despite losing to Austria . You can catch all the action at 2pm on ITV1.
What’s the form?
North Macedonia are the lowest-ranked team at Euro 2020 and despite losing 3-1 in their opening fixture, Angelovski’s side impressed.
They also got the better of 2014 World Cup champions Germany in March (2-1) and have quite the habit of not losing, with just three defeats in their last 15 fixtures.
Ukraine on the other hand would have left the field very dejected after their opening defeat, although after giving Holland a scare in Amsterdam, Andriy Shevchenko’s side can go into this one feeling optimistic.
Before this Ukraine came in with absolutely nothing to lose and on a six-game unbeaten streak, winning two and drawing four including a 1-1 affair with France.
Many of the lads were empty vessels after the match with the Netherlands, we will see how many of them will be able to recuperate sufficiently for the game against North Macedonia.
Andriy Shevchenko
Who’s in and who’s out?
Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko, who scored a stunner against Holland, will be assessed after suffering a knock but is expected to be fit.
Oleksandr Zubkov also suffered from a reported calf injury and had to be taken off meaning it is unlikely he will feature.
North Macedonia would have been slightly worried when goalkeeper Stole Dimitievski kneeled and waved to the physios, but after being assessed he was able to play on.
Napoli’s Elif Elmas and Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski are both expected to feature meaning North Macedonia are likely to line up in a similar fashion against Ukraine as they did against Austria.
“Playing our first-ever European Championship game was a massive experience. We face a difficult next match against Ukraine and we have to go all out for a win because we have nothing to lose.”
Igor Angeloski
Watch out for…
Granted he’s fit, Andriy Yarmolenko.
The West-Ham man bagged a wonder goal which will undoubtedly go down as one of the goals of the tournament.
The 31-year-old cut on to his trusted left peg and unleashed an unstoppable shot past the hapless Maarten Stekelenburg in goal.
Expect him to have North Macedonia’s defence dancing on ice.
If the game’s rubbish
Check out Andriy Yarmolenko’s beautiful wife Inna Yarmolenko.
The pair married in 2011, and have two sons called Ivan and Danylo.
Inna works in social action projects and is a specialist in Ukrainian foreign relations, organising charity events in the US, promoting Eastern European culture overseas.
Match odds
Get all your Euro 2020 ante-post tips with our tournament betting guide HERE.
Match odds
- Ukraine to win 4/7
- To draw 13/5
- North Macedonia to win 5/1
Euro 2020 outright odds
- Ukraine 75/1
- North Macedonia 500/1
*All odds correct at time of publication.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
