Italy secures European Championship ticket against Ukraine – Czech Republic & Slovenia are also there

0-0 in Leverkusen

Defending champion Italy has got their ticket to the European Football Championship in Germany next summer with some trepidation, but without any detention. In a 0-0 draw at the end of the qualifying group against the Ukrainians with the same number of points, the Italians got the one point they needed to secure second place behind group winners England. Despite the result, the game in Leverkusen’s BayArena was not a clichéd Italy game, but a lively duel with plenty of scoring chances on both sides. The Ukrainians have another chance to take part in their fourth European Championship in a row in the playoffs in March.

The game took place in Germany because of the Russian war of aggression. The Ukrainians had already played home games in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The Italian players and fans made a sign of peace before kick-off by clapping throughout the Ukrainian anthem. Numerous families who had fled Ukraine were also invited to the game. The Ukrainian association expressed its thanks with the message “We thank Germany for its hospitality” on numerous advertising hoardings.

A point would have been enough for the Italians, but they started actively and offensively. And the Ukrainians also always had their chances. The fact that the first half remained goalless didn’t really fit with how the game was going. Which didn’t change after the change. Italy were superior, but both had opportunities and the game threatened to tip over at any time. The Italians were lucky in the third minute of added time when there was no penalty after Bryan Cristante tackled Mykhaylo Mudryk in the penalty area.

In addition to Italy: the Czech Republic and Slovenia also qualified for the 2024 European Championship

Slovenia and the Czech Republic have also qualified for the 2024 European Championship. The Czechs beat Moldova 3-0 (1-0) on Monday evening, thereby sealing their ticket to the tournament in summer 2024. Slovenia won 2:1 (1:0) against Kazakhstan. Thanks to Bayern striker Harry Kane, the English, who had already qualified in advance, still managed a 1-1 (0-1) draw in North Macedonia.

The Czechs, on the other hand, celebrated a deserved victory. David Doudera (14th minute), Tomas Chory (72nd) and Tomas Soucek (90th) scored the goals for the hosts, for whom a draw would have been enough. Slovenia took an early lead through RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko (20th/foul penalty). Then Ramazan Orazov (48th) scored the equalizer in Ljubljana. In the 86th minute, Benjamin Verbic scored the winning goal for the Slovenians.

To home page