Ukraine - Group C
Ukraine scraped through to the finals of Euro 2016 by virtue of a 3-1 aggregate win against Slovenia in the play-offs. Prior to that, they were comfortably beaten into 3rd place in qualifying group C by Spain and Slovakia.
Get to know: Ukraine
Ukraine’s European qualification campaign was played out against a backdrop of political tension. Their biggest domestic side Shakhtar Donetsk have been playing their home matches 800 miles away from their normal stadium, and disagreements with neighbouring Russia have left the Ukrainians unable to call up players based in the Russian leagues.
In the group stages, they won 6 games, drew 1 and lost 3, scoring 14 goals, conceding 4 and ending up with a +10 goal difference.
In the draw for the main event, Ukraine were placed in Group C, alongside Germany, Northern Ireland and Poland.
Fixtures:
June 12 vs. Germany 7pm – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
June 15 vs. Northern Ireland 4pm – Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
June 21 vs. Poland 4pm – Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Goal scorers:
During qualification, Ukraine scored 14 goals
Their goal scorers were:
- Andriy Yarmolenko (4)
- Artem Kravets (3)
- Yevhen Konoplyanka (2)
- Serhiy Sydorchuk (2)
- Denys Harmash (1)
- Yevhen Seleznyov (1)
- Own goals (1)
Qualification Stat Truths:
- Conceded at the fifth-lowest rate: 5 goals in 12 games (including two play-off matches).
- Failed to score in 4 matches: the joint-most of any qualifier.
- Spent 26.8% of their time (289) losing during qualifiers – the highest of any qualifier.
- One of only two sides at the finals not to have conceded in the final 15 minutes during qualifying.
- One of four sides at the finals not to have conceded more than once in a match during qualifying.
All data based on Ukraine’s Euro 2016 qualification campaign. Courtesy of the Press Association.