France v Ukraine is a European Under-21 European Championship quarter-final match played on Sunday at 21:00: odds and predictions.
The fact that they finished the group stage with nine points from as many available certifies, if proof were needed, the strength of this France side.
The transalpines, despite not always shining and only expressing their enormous talent in glimpses, achieved qualification without fuss, finishing with full points in the same group as Italy. Sylvain Ripoll’s selection, the only one to win them all together with England, swept the board on the third and final day against Switzerland (1-4), but had been less convincing in the two previous matches against Norway (1-0) and above all against the Azzurri, in a match conditioned by a couple of blatant refereeing errors. France, however, always found the way to the goal: almost all the most talented offensive players, from Barcola and Gouiri to Kalimuendo and Cherki, ended up on the scorers’ sheet. Whoever wants to lift the title in a week’s time will have to deal with them. In the quarter-finals for Ripoll and his men is the treacherous Ukraine, who came second in the group to Spain: it is the Iberians, heavy favourites in the quarter-final against Switzerland, who could be France’s next opponents in a possible semi-final.
Ukraine have nothing to lose
What chance do the Ukrainians have of overturning the odds? Few, very few. But France have shown themselves to be as talented as they are unpredictable. And it would be a mistake to take victory against Ruslan Rotan’s men for granted.
Sudakov
Ukraine reaches the final stage 17 years after the last time: in 2006 they even made it to the final, losing to the Netherlands. Its run so far has been respectable. It has beaten Croatia and Romania without conceding a goal (2-0 and 1-0) and put a scare into Spain in the direct clash for first place: the Rojita selector had to send in the starters to grab a last-gasp draw and avoid being overtaken. In the previous matches, we find almost exclusively French victories: seven compared to eight transalpine successes. The last head-to-head was a year ago and ended in a pyrotechnic 3-3.
The Prediction
Ukraine can already be satisfied with their progress and against France they will play with the confidence of those with nothing to lose. Rotan’s selection will have their chances and will most probably take advantage of them, but their defence will be able to do little against the transalpine attack, which appeared inspired against Switzerland. Both should score in any case in a match that should provide goals and spectacle.
The official line-ups for France v Ukraine
- FRANCE U21 (4-3-1-2): Chevalier; Simakan, Kalulu, Lukeba, Nkounkou; Thuram, Caqueret, Chotard; Cherki; Barcola, Gouiri.
- UCRAINE U21 (4-3-3): Trubin; Sych, Taloverov, Batagov, Vivcharenko; Bondarenko, Brazhko, Sudakov; Mudryk, Sikan, Nazarenko.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
