Ukraine and Poland face-off in their last group stage match of the UEFA Euro 2016 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Ukraine having lost both their matches, are out of the tournament, while Poland still can finish top of the group with a win, given that result from the other Group C match goes their way.
In the other Group C match, Germany will play Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes in Paris with an eye on the top spot of the group. Northern Ireland also have a chance to make it to the round-of-16 after their 2-0 win over Ukraine.
Ukraine’s coach Mykhailo Fomenko, before the match, has said that they will try and correct the mistakes they made in their previous two matches and also apologised to their supporters for team’s dismal show in the football tournament.
“My players understand they have one more game to go in such a huge tournament and they'll do everything to correct the mistakes they've made in previous matches. They will try to play as they should have done.
I don't have anything to complain about because the players prepared very well. I will take a decision about my future after the tournament. We say sorry to our supporters and I think my players will try to improve the relationship between the national team and the fans”, Fomenko said.
Polish coach Adam Nawaka, on the other hand, has urged his players to approach the match as their most important fixture of the tourney. “This is now our most important match – that's our approach.
“Ukraine are a good side with highly talented players. They appear in European competitions with their clubs, so that's why we need to be well-prepared, both emotionally and tactically”, Nawalka said.
Live Stream and kick-off time
The match will be live from 21:30 IST (Tuesday), 17:00 BST (Tuesday). Watch live streaming of Ukraine vs Poland on SonyLIV. Follow Ukraine vs Poland, Euro 2016 Live Score and Commentary with Sportskeeda. The match will be telecasted live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD in India, Fox Sports in the USA and BBC Red Button in the UK. The match will be played at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne.
Team News
Ukraine are likely to field a much-changed side in their last match according to coach Fomenko. “What is likely to be a much-changed side will badly want to leave France with a win and give at least some consolation to their supporters”, he said. Goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov is expected to be benched in favour of Denys Boyko, after giving two unimpressive performances.
Poland, on the other hand, are expected to field a full-strength squad as they look to finish top of the table. "It's important that everyone is ready and I can rely on them. The decision [on the line-up] is always made after the final training session, and that will be the same tonight. I don't want to talk about where we want to finish; it's the three points that matter”, coach Nawalka said.
Probable Line-up
Ukraine (4-3-2-1): Boyko; Butko, Khacheridi, Kucher, Shevchuk; Rybalka, Rotan, Garmash; Yarmolenko, Konoplyanka; Zozulya.
Poland (4-4-2): Fabiaski; Piszczek, Glik, Jdrzejczyk, Pazdan; Baszczykowski, Krychowiak, Zieliski, Kapustka; Milik, Lewandowski.
Form Guide (Most Recent first)
Ukraine: LLWWW
The yellow-blues came into the tournament on the back of the four consecutive wins, however, defeats in the first two group matches meant that their hopes of reaching the knockouts were quashed.
Poland: DWDLW
Poland, on the other hand, won their first and drew their next match in the tournament. In their last five, they have only lost once and drew two matches along with a couple of wins.
Head to Head record
- The two teams have faced each other seven times before this match, with Ukraine winning three matches, Poland two and two games have ended in a draw.
- The last time Poland registered a victory over Ukraine was in September 2000, in a World Cup qualifier match. The scoreline was 3-1.
- Ukraine have not lost their last five matches against the Polish team, winning 3 and drawing 2.
- The last time these two teams faced each other was in the FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifiers. Placed in the same group, the teams faced other twice and Ukraine emerged victorious from both the matches.
Prediction
Given the recent form of both the sides, Poland might go on to win the match and qualify for the knockouts. However, the bruised and battered Ukraine team will want to give their best performance and walk out of the tournament with heads held high. We predict a 2-2 draw.
