Euro 2020

THIS is the Ukraine team that SunSport expects Andriy Shevchenko to plump for tomorrow against England.He looks set to go with  a cagey 3-5-2  formation for the quarter-final showdown in Rome.
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Man City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko leads celebrations after Ukraine beat Sweden 2-1 in the last 16 with a last-gasp extra-time goalCredit: Getty
Ukraine’s surprise run to the quarter-finals has helped unite the nation
And here, we give you the lowdown  on the players we predict will line-up against Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions…
GK: HEORHIY BUSHCHANHas failed to keep a clean sheet in his last nine competitive games, but he continues to keep out veteran Andriy Pyatov.
RCB: ILLYA ZABARNYIYoungest player in the squad at 18. Was just four  when boss Andriy Shevchenko played in the 2006 World Cup quarter final.
CB: SERHIY KRYVTSOVPlayed against Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling in the Champions League in October 2018 but failed to stop Pep Guardiola’s side winning 3-0.
LCB: MYKOLA MATVIYENKOWas born in the summer of 1996 as England made the semi-finals. Had a 100 per cent tackle success rate against Sweden.
RWB: OLEKSANDR KARAVAYEVOne of the few players to have had a spell outside of Ukraine, playing on loan at Turkish side Fenerbahce in 2016/17.
LWB: OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKOIs the third-highest goal scorer in this current Ukrainian side with six. Caused controversy when making his Ukraine debut while playing in the Russian Premier League.
LCM: MYKOLA SHAPARENKOIs one of the youngest players to ever score in the Ukrainian Premier League as a 16-year-old, but is yet to score for his country after making his debut in 2018.
CM: TARAS STEPANENKOWas involved in a physical bust-up and brawl with compatriot and former Dynamo Kyiv player Yarmolenko while playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, but the pair have since made up.
RCM: SERHIY SYDORCHUKWas born in an area under the control of the Soviet Union before they gained independence months later in 1991.
ST: ANDRIY YARMOLENKOWas born in St. Petersburg before moving to Ukraine aged three. Was told at a young age he did not have the physical attributes to make it pro. Played in the streets with home-made balls.
ST: ROMAN YAREMCHUKMiraculously recovered from achilles tendon surgery in January. Currently plays in the Belgian Pro League with Gent.

UKRAINE star Ruslan Malinovskyi says their Euros success is bringing a little peace to the war-torn country.
And Malinovskyi has warned England that “everything is possible” in tomorrow’s quarter-final in Rome, following earlier shocks in the knockout stages.
Ukraine has been involved in conflict with neighbours Russia since 2014 and the midfielder, 28, said: “For Ukraine, football has been really special during this competition because we have not so good things in our country — like the war.
“With Covid, a lot of people have lost their jobs.
Ruslan Malinovskyi believes Ukraine are providing ‘a little bit like peace’ for his country’s people with their success at Euro 2020
“With our results that we have, what we can give is a little bit like peace for the people of Ukraine. We play for them.”
Fans who travel from England and Ukraine will not be allowed into the Stadio Olimpico. 
But Malinovskyi and team-mate Roman Yaremchuk are hoping Italian-based ex-pats from their country will be out in force.
Malinovskyi said: “We know the whole country will support us. A lot of Ukrainian people live in Italy and I am sure a lot of people will come to support us.
“We felt it in other games, when we played in Budapest and even when we played in Scotland.
West Ham wideman Andriy Yarmolenko is keen to tackle fellow Premier League stars when Ukraine face EnglandCredit: GettySHOCKING DEATH TOLL IN EAST UKRAINEVIOLENCE in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatist rebels and Ukrainian troops has seen more than 10,300 deaths, with 24,000 injured since April 2014.

The crisis in the country of England’s Euros quarter-final opponents began with protests in the capital of Kiev in November 2013 — sparked by president Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to reject a deal for greater  economic integration with the European Union.
After a violent crackdown by state security forces led to   increased protests and escalated the conflict,  Yanukovych fled the country in February 2014.
The following month, Russian troops took control of Ukraine’s Crimean region, with  Russia’s president Vladimir Putin citing the need to protect the rights of their citizens in Crimea and south-east Ukraine.
The rebels have been fighting with Ukrainian troops ever since.

“A lot of people live in the UK and they came and supported us so hard. It gave us something, to go faster, to be more strong and for the mental part.
“The tournament has already been long with all the preparation but it has given us something.
“To push more and be focused that we play not just for ourselves, we play for the whole country.”
Atalanta star Malinovskyi believes Ukraine have more than a fighting chance against England after Switzerland dumped out favourites France.
Malinovskyi said: “We saw a lot of results that we didn’t expect from the other teams like Switzerland and the Czech Republic beating the Dutch.
“It shows that, in this tournament, everything is possible.”
Ukraine chief Andriy Shevchenko slammed his team after they scraped into the knockout stages by coming third in Group C.
Andriy Shevchenko criticised his side’s struggle in coming third in their group before they KO’d 10-man Sweden 2-1 to reach the last eightCredit: AP
Ukraine striker Roman Yaremchuk is jubilant after setting up a clash with England
But they responded with a much- improved performance in the dramatic last-16 win over ten-man Sweden in  stoppage time of extra-time.
Striker Yaremchuk, 25, said: “We haven’t shown our best football yet but we played much better against Sweden.
“We showed we are more of a team and we are more together, we are more dangerous in attack.
“Now in the next round every game is like a final and we will have a chance to show something special against England. We will show we are fighters.”
Shevchenko has already achieved something special by leading Ukraine to the last eight of the Euros for the first time.
Malinovskyi said: “The coach has a lot of personality. He has given something new to the team that we didn’t have before.
Ruslan Malinovskyi came off the bench just after the hour as Ukraine beat SwedenCredit: AP
“We have grown up as a team because of this. We have learned a lot of things, a more European way.
“Before we played more simple, now we look for other things, everything is new.”
West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko, who has recovered from an injury-hit season to  captain his nation, will certainly have the bit between his teeth tomorrow.
Malinovskyi said: “Last month when he didn’t play for his club he thought a lot about it and prepared to be fit for the Euros.
“He’s a real captain, he takes the team with him, he will be fit and motivated to play against England.
“It’s special for him because he plays in England and against the England  team it will be a chance for him to show that he deserves to play in the Premier League.”
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But it is Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who have it all to prove in a game for which most people make them big  favourites.
Malinovskyi said: “It’s nice to be in this position, that England are favourites. It gives more pressure for them than for us.”
Yaremchuk added: “They will feel pressure for sure, because it’s a famous team. It’s a big chance to go to the next round.”
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IF he was not playing, Jack Grealish would be watching in the boozer with his mates.And in his own words, he’d “f****** love it”.
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Jack Grealish is loving being part of England’s Euros partyCredit: Getty
Grealish is feeling the love from England’s football fans — even the ones who normally give him stick when he turns out for Aston Villa.
The playmaker has become the national team’s poster boy, despite just ten caps following his senior debut last September.
Grealish believes his popularity is because of his entertaining style.
This is true to a certain degree and he did play a part in both goals in the 2-0 win over Germany.
But he is also adored because he is the ultimate Jack the Lad — a  footballer who is not perfect but is living the dream.
I’d be travelling everywhere watching England, being in pubs and stuff. I’d f****** love it.Jack Grealish
And had he not been a player, he would have been getting hammered with his mates down the pub, or even at the BOXPARK venue outside Wembley on Tuesday.
Grealish said: “It’s unbelievable. It’s obviously one of the best feelings ever when they’re calling for your name.
“It’s weird. It’s nice when Villa fans are doing it but you kind of expect it because you are one of them.

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“But when it’s England fans, it’s different. I always try and play with a smile on my face because I’m doing what I love.
“But then again, I think if I wasn’t a footballer and I was just with my mates and stuff I would just love to be doing what they’re doing.
“I’d be travelling everywhere watching England, being in pubs and stuff. I’d f****** love it.
“I think I’d be at BOXPARK. I’ve seen a few videos of that and it looked unreal. So that’s what I’d be doing, because at the end of the day, I’m just a normal kid.”
Grealish, 25, started the 1-0 win over the Czech Republic but was a substitute in the goalless draw with Scotland and the famous win over the Germans.
Each time he left his spot on the bench to warm up, the reception he received from the fans at Wembley was remarkable.
He added: “I just go out and try to repay people with my performances.
“At Villa, fans give me so much  love, I go out there and try and repay them.
Grealish says he would love to be part of the mad scenes at BOXPARKCredit: EPA
Supporters up and down the country have been revelling in the Euros runCredit: Reuters
“Normally, I get booed every  single week by these fans who are watching England.
“When I speak to my mum and dad they think it’s so nice, that people are not going ‘F*** him, if he was at Villa we’d boo him every week’.
“They are all giving me that support and doing it for the whole team and it’s so nice to see them being part of that. I try and get fans off their seats.
“I try and attack as much as possible and I think that’s what fans want to see. I try and do that as much as I can. I know what I am good at.”
Grealish, who always has an afternoon nap, was a bit sleepy as he spoke to reporters at a picnic table at St George’s Park on Thursday.
But after ten minutes, he was wide awake and gave some candid answers.
Asked what he would do if he was not a footballer, he said: “My dad is a plasterer. I dunno if he is any good.
“I couldn’t be a plasterer. I would be a club promoter.”
Grealish says he is still the same young lad who broke out at Aston VillaCredit: Getty – Contributor
And asked whether this would be in Birmingham, he shook his head as he added: “Tenerife. Or Ibiza. I would be getting everyone into the club.”
Grealish knows he is not perfect.
In December, he was banned from driving for nine months and fined £82,499 after crashing his Range Rover during the first lockdown in March last year.
Asked whether he must learn from his mistakes, he said: “Of course.
“That is the only thing you can do. Deep down, I am still the Jack when I was young and I will never not be that person.”
Grealish has been blown away by the atmosphere within the Three Lions, where club rivalries are left at the entrance to St George’s Park.
He added: “One thing I will say is that I couldn’t believe how close everybody was.
“It’s like a group of friends playing together. You have rivalries on a Saturday and then come here and people are getting on like a house on fire.
I didn’t think I would be hugging a Blue, or an ex-one in Jude Bellingham.Jack Grealish

“I didn’t think I would be hugging a Blue, or an ex-one in Jude.”
Grealish, of course, was referring to former Birmingham midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is now a star at Borussia Dortmund.
If England somehow do go all the way and win this tournament, you can only imagine the wild celebrations within the group.
And we all know who would be partying the hardest.
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I’M so confident England will beat Ukraine that if I were in charge I would rest both Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips to save them for the semi-final.And Gareth Southgate shouldn’t stop there because he should also consider giving Harry Maguire a break so he can be key to the defence for the final week of the tournament.
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Jose Mourinho says England should rest Harry Maguire against UkraineCredit: EPA
The Special One also believes Kalvin Phillips deserves a night offCredit: Getty
All three are on yellow cards, and in the case of Maguire he is also lacking the same kind of preparation fitness-wise because of his injury.
He could easily be replaced by Tyrone Mings, who was so impressive in the first two games.
For Maguire, a rest will be perfect because it not only means he avoids a yellow card that would stop him playing the semi-final, but also means England do not accumulate fatigue in a player that didn’t prepare as well as the others have.
I would make three or four changes for this game even though it is a quarter-final, including the important defender and the two engines in midfield.
Obviously I’m looking from the outside and don’t have to work under the pressure of Gareth but I would say you don’t need Rice and Phillips to beat Ukraine.
At the most, one of them is needed but you have Jordan Henderson who is in the right condition to play and other  younger players, fresh with the right conditions, desire and  motivation to play
Rice and Phillips have been magnificent so far but look at the way they worked in the last match, and how Declan finished the game completely exhausted and with cramp in his legs.
Saturday’s semi- final will be much more difficult than the quarter-final.

Ukraine  played extra-time in theirs to get past Sweden so have more minutes in their legs and there is a difference of quality between both teams.
England do not need to take some of the players to extreme situations of fatigue.
Rest Rice and Phillips so they can then play the semi and the final to the maximum potential. But that’s me speaking.
Gareth has 100 per cent of responsibility and pressure on him, so I would guess he may  just rest one of them, so Jordan starts with one. But don’t start with both.
England won’t have a  better chance than this one to reach the final, no better conditions ever to win these two matches and to be in the final at Wembley.
Mourinho thinks England have enough squad depth to also give Declan Rice a breatherCredit: Reuters
Mourinho is backing England to overcome Ukraine in Rome on SaturdayCredit: Getty

Andriy Shevchenko is doing an amazing job with Ukraine.
The team is very well organised  but I think they are they are on the limits of their energy, they are on the limits of their potential.
Of course, they’re doing it for their country and are going to fight for more, but I don’t think they can.
They have two groups of players, one group that is better than the other and when you miss one player, you are immediately  in trouble.
You cannot make rotations and  you cannot change players because when you change the potential the team is completely different.
In England’s case, it is quite a privilege, because the squad is really good, really strong.

England are confident, they know that the semi and the final is at Wembley, everybody is doing a team job. I think that everybody is doing a team job.
The team is going progressively step-by-step, Gareth never keeps the same team.
One comes in, one comes  out and everybody’s performing very well.
I just think they go to the Olympic Stadium in Rome and beat Ukraine.
The final is at Wembley, so football is coming home. And England will be there.
Jose Mourinho was speaking exclusively on talkSPORT.
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