Spain-Ukraine is a match in the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship and will be played on Wednesday at 21:00: line-ups and predictions.
Spain and Ukraine find themselves facing each other after just eight days. At the time, the first place in the group was at stake, but this time the stakes are much higher. The winner of the semi-final in Bucharest will take a place in the final in Batumi, Georgia, against one of Israel or England.
A week ago it ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with the Ukrainians, who, if it had not been for Abel Ruiz’s 90th-minute goal, would have finished as first ahead of the Iberians. Instead, Santi Denia’s selection managed to protect their lead – the better overall goal difference being decisive – thanks to the Braga striker’s last-gasp strike. But the turning point came only after the majority of the starters, who had been left on the bench for turnover reasons, had been put back on the field: qualification was already in their pockets after the first two matches and the Spaniards would have needed only a draw to be certain of not slipping to second place. Ukraine, at that point, seemed to have very little chance in the quarter-final against France, one of the big favourites for the final victory as well as one of the best-equipped and best-assorted selections.
And here was the surprise no one could have foreseen: immediately down after 19 minutes, Ruslan Rotan’s men did not lose heart, turning the French back on their heels with a brace from Sudakov – currently the tournament’s top scorer – and scoring the final 3-1 in the 86th minute with Bondarenko. A bombastic, unexpected victory that must put Spain on their guard.
The Ukraine
Yes, because the Rojita did not shine at all against Switzerland: the match against the Swiss was supposed to be a formality and instead Denia’s troop, disappointing in terms of scoring, risked going into the penalty shoot-out. If they avoided shots from the penalty spot, the merit is due to the goal scored by Miranda in minute 103. Fear gone, Spain now go in search of their eighth final: in the event of triumph it would be their sixth continental success.
The prediction
The bold and swaggering Ukraine admired against France has the makings of a difficult match for Spain, who were already forced into a draw in the group stage. The Iberians remain favourites, but it is highly probable that the Ukrainians will find at least one chance on goal: the total number of goals should also be at least three this time. It cannot be ruled out that the semi-final will be decided in extra time.
The official line-ups for Spain v Ukraine
- SPAN U21 (4-2-3-1): Tenas; V. Gomez, Pacheco, Paredes, Miranda; Blanco, Baena; Rodri, Sancet, S. Gomez; Ruiz.
- UCRAINE U21 (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Sych, Batahov, Talovierov, Vivcharenko; Bondarenko, Brazhko; Kashchuk, Sudakov, Mudryk; Sikan.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
