Mykolenko Shocked by Euro 2024 Opener

Vitaliy Mykolenko, the left-back for Ukraine's national team, had a surprising reaction to the start of Euro 2024 in Germany. Mykolenko admitted to being completely off in his prediction for the tournament's opening match, where the hosts thrashed Scotland 5:1.

Speaking on the YouTube channel of the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF), Mykolenko confessed his support for the Scots and his belief that they would at least draw. The final result left the key defender in Sergiy Rebrov's squad in utter shock.

"We all watched the opening match of the European Championship. The Germans, you could say, steamrolled the Scots. I was rooting for Scotland and thought it would be a draw or they'd win. But I realized I don't know anything about football because they didn't even manage a single shot," Mykolenko said.

The Opening Match: A German Dominance

Germany's crushing victory over Scotland marked a spectacular start to Euro 2024. The German side displayed a level of dominance that left Scottish fans and players alike in disbelief. For Mykolenko, who is recovering from an injury sustained in a friendly against Moldova, the performance was particularly shocking.

Unfortunately, Mykolenko's injury will see him miss Ukraine's opening game against Romania on Monday, June 17. This is a significant blow for Ukraine, as they rely heavily on Mykolenko’s defensive skills.

Ukraine vs Romania: Key Match Ahead

The opening clash between Ukraine and Romania is set to be a critical match for both teams. Scheduled for 16:00 Kyiv time, the game will be closely watched by fans and analysts. Former Shakhtar Donetsk player Razvan Rat emphasized that it would be a mistake to automatically credit Ukraine with three points from this encounter. The Romanians are expected to put up a strong fight.

With Mykolenko out, Ukraine’s defense will have to adapt quickly to the pressure. Sergiy Rebrov’s tactical adjustments and the team's response will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.

Editor: Vitalina Patskan