Euro 2024: Romania x Ukraine, Match Preview, Odds and Predictions(17/06/2024)

Romania hopes to lift their supporters' spirits after a humiliating goalless draw with Liechtenstein in their first match of the 2024 European Championship against Ukraine. The Tricolori's home victory should be excluded, as they lost their last four friendly games. After coming off the bench to help secure a draw with Liechtenstein, veteran midfielder Nicolae Stanciu is a heavy favorite to start again.

In contrast, the Ukrainians want to return from a 3-1 setback to Poland. Mykhailo Mudryk, the star player for Chelsea, has recovered from his injury, which is excellent news for the nominal visitors. We are inclined to back Sergiy Rebrov's 2024 European Championship opening charges as all three of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Viktor Tsygankov, and Artem Dovbyk are fit to play. You must know this: these two national teams have never played each other in a European Championship match.

Romania x Ukraine Team News

Romanians are holding out great hope that this current crop of players can lift the national team out of its prolonged slump, which dates back to the 1990s when Romanian football was at its peak. The group that included Gheorghe Hagi, Dan Petrescu, Gheorghe Popescu, and a host of others qualified for every major event for ten years and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1994 World Cup.

Most of these players are in their mid-to late-20s, so they aren't exactly young, but they have the experience that may make them ready to shine in the coming years. Like Popescu and Dimitrescu in the '90s, there is a small star. The player closest to that description is Radu Dragusin, who signed with Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year.

Along with Italy and England, Ukraine's qualifying group was challenging. Given the group's situation and the continuing strife at home, qualifying for these finals was a good feat.

The offensive unit for Ukraine is thrilling to watch since it is full of young, talented players who are all on fire right now. Since joining the Premier League, some players have gained widespread recognition in the United Kingdom. For the last ten years, the finest teams in the Premier League have had Oleksandr Zinchenko patrolling the left side. However, because the captain of Ukraine's national team is playing in midfield, Vitaly Mykolenko of Everton is free to unleash himself on the left flank.

Mykailo Mudryk's speed makes him a dangerous attacker. At the same time, Viktor Tsygankov has been Girona's unsuspecting Champions League holder, thanks to his fantastic partnering with Artem Dovbyk, who earned the Pichichi as La Liga's leading scorer.

The team's future stars, Illya Zabarnyi and Georgiy Sudakov, who are only 21 years old, have gotten off to great beginnings. This Ukrainian team has a great blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent. The goalkeeper position is also well-stocked, with Anatoliy Trubin of Benfica and Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid filling in for the injured Bushchan.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

Despite six encounters, these nations have never engaged in international competition. Romania won the first three friendly matches, while Ukraine won the latest three. The nations last played each other in 2016; therefore, most of their past encounters don't matter in this tie.

On June 17 in Munich, Romania and Ukraine will kick off their 2024 European Championship campaigns. Both teams are expecting to get off to solid starts in a closely matched group vying for second or third place.

The fact that Romania finished first in their qualifying group surprised many. Tricolorii had yet to finish first in a significant tournament qualifying group since Euro 2008; this was just their second tournament qualification since then (the other being Euro 2016). Romania has yet to triumph in a significant event final since Euro 2000 when they advanced to the quarterfinals at England's expense thanks to a last-gasp penalty.

Ukraine has qualified for the European Championships for the last four years. They made it out of their group at Euro 2020 and lost 0-4 to England in Rome in the quarterfinals. Notwithstanding the outcome, this is Ukraine's most excellent showing in a major competition since they reached the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup. But since then, they have failed to advance to the World Cup.

Our Predictions

Full-time draw @3.45 on Sky247.ng

Even though they were in the bottom half of their qualifying group with Italy and England, the Blue and Yellows are heavy favorites to finish second in Group E at Euro 2024, behind only Belgium.

Nevertheless, that result might be upset by Romania, who went undefeated on their way to the finals in Germany this summer.

Coming into this tournament with only one loss in their past fifteen matches, Romania led their division, which included Switzerland and Israel, with a record of six victories and four draws.

While the Ukrainians are heavy favorites to get off to a winning start, we still think the match will end in a draw in Munich.

The last three matches between the two teams have been close affairs, with Romania emerging victorious on three occasions.

Both teams to score @1.95 on Sky247.ng

At least four goals have been scored in the past five games, with the most recent dust-up in 2016 ending in a 4-3 loss for Ukraine.

We anticipate a high-scoring matchup in this Group E opening, but we don't know if any will be scored this week.

While they let Poland score three goals in a recent friendly, Ukraine has held Germany and Italy to draws in the previous seven months; now, they must be on top of their game to stay up with a vibrant Romanian team.

Throughout their ten qualifying matches, Romania scored 16 goals, including six games in which they scored two or more.

There are a few promising forwards to watch in what promises to be an exciting matchup.

Dovbyk to score anytime @2.80 on Sky247.ng

Despite Romanian midfielder Nicole Stanciu's impressive goal-scoring record (14 in 70 outings), Monday's encounter might include Ukraine sensation Artem Dovbyk.

Despite only scoring twice in Euro 2024 qualification, we still think the 26-year-old Girona attacker can find the back of the net in Munich this week. He finished the season with 24 goals, making him the league's leading scorer.

Against Shakhtar, Dovbyk will spearhead the offense, with help from Girona teammate Viktor Tyshankov, Chelsea winger Mikhailo Mudryk, and Shakhtar standout Georgiy Sudakov.

It is anticipated that Dovybyk would open his account in Germany at first request, given the fearsome power of the attacking troops.

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