MUNICH (AP) — In a Euro 2024 match filled with emotion and contrasting fortunes, Romania delivered a resounding 3-0 victory over Ukraine, marking their first European Championship win in nearly a quarter of a century. The jubilant Romanian players celebrated their historic win with an outpouring of joy alongside their passionate, yellow-clad fans at Munich Arena. Conversely, the Ukrainian team, visibly dejected, offered heartfelt apologies to their supporters after a surprisingly heavy defeat. This game, deeply significant in the context of Ukraine Euros 2024, showcased more than just football; it was a poignant display of national spirit and resilience against the backdrop of ongoing conflict.
The goals that secured Romania’s triumph came from captain Nicolae Stanciu, Răzvan Marin, and Denis Drăguș. This victory is only the second in Romania’s Euros history, echoing their memorable 3-2 win against England at Euro 2000. Romania’s head coach, Edward Iordănescu, son of Anghel Iordănescu who coached the national team in 2016, lauded his team as a “generation of soul,” capturing the emotional depth of their achievement. Iordănescu, celebrating his 46th birthday just a day prior, emphasized the profound heart and spirit of his team, stating, “This has to be the generation of soul for Romania. This generation is limitless.”
Image alt text: Romanian supporters in yellow jerseys jubilantly celebrate their team’s unexpected victory against Ukraine during a Euro 2024 match at Munich Arena, waving flags and cheering.
Stanciu’s exceptional performance wasn’t limited to his goal; he also struck the bar, underscoring Romania’s dominant performance throughout the match. For Ukraine, participating in ukraine euros 2024 carries a weight far beyond the sport itself. Representing a nation enduring the hardships of war, their presence in the tournament is a symbol of hope and a quest to bring some joy to citizens suffering from Russia’s invasion.
“Everyone apologized,” Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov somberly stated after the match. “The players are feeling that they didn’t do enough. Because before the game we told them here we are representing the big, strong country which is fighting more than two years for our freedom.” Rebrov’s words highlighted the immense pressure and emotional burden carried by his team, knowing they were playing for a nation in turmoil. He added, “What I am feeling, what the players are feeling, that today we didn’t do good enough. That’s why they apologized. Now we have to shut our mouths and prepare very serious for the next game to show the other Ukraine.”
Image alt text: A disappointed Serhiy Rebrov, Ukraine’s coach, is seen talking to his team on the field after their Euro 2024 match against Romania, conveying the team’s remorse for their performance.
The atmosphere at Munich Arena was highly charged, with a sea of yellow representing both nations’ primary colors. For Romania, this tournament marks their first major appearance in eight years, adding to the emotional weight of the occasion. The pre-match national anthem saw several Romanian players overcome with tears, reflecting the significance of the moment.
Adding a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Ukrainian soccer officials unveiled a poignant installation in Munich. It featured a stand from a stadium destroyed by Russian forces in May 2022, a powerful symbol of the war’s impact on every facet of Ukrainian life, including sports.
Image alt text: A section of stadium seating, damaged and mangled, is displayed as a somber installation in Munich during Euro 2024, symbolizing the destruction caused by the war in Ukraine and its impact on the nation’s infrastructure and spirit.
“One team on the field but a million soldiers who stay and defend Ukraine,” emphasized Andriy Shevchenko, former Ukraine coach and striker, now president of the country’s soccer federation. “We are all together. We play today for the country. We play today for the people who defend our lives and our country.” Shevchenko’s words underscored the unifying power of football and its role in representing Ukraine on the international stage during this challenging period, making their participation in ukraine euros 2024 deeply symbolic.
The match’s turning point arrived in the 29th minute when a costly error by Ukraine’s goalkeeper Andriy Lunin proved decisive. Lunin’s errant kick went directly to Dennis Man, who promptly set up Stanciu for a spectacular strike into the top left corner, giving Romania the lead against the flow of play.
Extending their advantage early in the second half, Romania capitalized on a swift counter-attack. In the 53rd minute, the ball fell favorably to Răzvan Marin just outside the box, and he drove it low into the bottom left corner. Lunin, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper who had a prominent role filling in for the injured Thibaut Courtois throughout the season, was again partially culpable as the ball slipped under his grasp.
Ukraine, who had demonstrated resilience with comeback victories in both of their qualifying playoff matches, found their hopes dashed definitively in the 57th minute. Dennis Man, showcasing his skill, dribbled into the penalty area and delivered a precise pass to Drăguș for an easy tap-in, sealing Romania’s dominant 3-0 victory. This match will be remembered not just for Romania’s impressive win but also as a stark reminder of the broader context surrounding ukraine euros 2024, where sport intersects with profound geopolitical and emotional realities.
