When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups?
Ukraine and Belgium meet in their Third Group E match at UEFA EURO 2024.
Ukraine and Belgium at a glance
When: Wednesday 27 June (00:00 GMT+8 kick-off)
Where: Stuttgart Arena
What: UEFA EURO 2024 Group E Matchday 3
What do you need to know?
Ukraine and Belgium have chosen quite the stage for their first ever international meeting. Both these sides had a dispiriting start in Group E, with Ukraine comprehensively beaten by a lively Romania team, and Belgium unexpectedly losing to Slovakia, but wins for both on Matchday 2 have left the situation in the section remarkably tight with all four nations tied on three points. The maths, however, is pretty simple; any side that wins is guaranteed a top-two finish. If everyone draws, it gets complicated.
Their nerve tested and not found wanting in their comeback victory over Slovakia, Ukraine can call on Belgian league experience with Serhiy Sydorchuk (Westerlo), Roman Yaremchuk (Gent, Club Brugge), Bogdan Mykhaylichenko (Anderlecht) and Ruslan Malinovskyi (Genk) all having played in Belgium. Moreover, Oleksandr Zinchenko knows two of Belgium’s star men well; he plays at Arsenal with Leandro Trossard and previously spent six years at Man City alongside Kevin De Bruyne.
Possible line-ups
Ukraine: Trubin; Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Svatok, Matviyenko, Mykolenko; Yarmolenko, Shaparenko, Brazhko, Mudryk; Yaremchuk
Misses next match if booked: Konoplia, Yaremchuk
Belgium: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Onana, De Bruyne; Doku, Lukaku, Bakayoko
Suspended: Lukebakio
Misses next match if booked: Mangala, Tielemans
Form guide
Ukraine:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WLWLDW
Belgium:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WLWWDD
Expert predictions
Bogdan Buga, Ukraine reporter
Ukraine’s hopes of guaranteed qualification hinge on victory, as any other result leaves them dependent on the Romania vs Slovakia game. Coach Serhiy Rebrov is pondering a return to the 5-4-1 formation that he has previously deployed against teams of Belgium’s stature. Vitaliy Mykolenko’s return to full training offers new options, and both his and Viktor Tsygankov’s fitness will be crucial for the Synio-Zhovti.
David D’Hondt, Belgium reporter
The Red Devils bared their teeth against Romania and sent out a reminder to the rest of the teams at EURO 2024 that when Belgium click, they are a terrifying prospect. Kevin De Bruyne inspired his side to a crucial 2-0 success, but Ukraine are also buoyant after a losing start and need the three points, too. Tedesco’s squad are largely fit, but he will be without the injured Witsel and the suspended Lukebakio
What the coaches say
Serhiy Rebrov, Ukraine coach: “Belgium are a very strong side. Before our group started, everyone knew Belgium were the favourites. In this competition, everything is possible. We have to think about how to play against this team. We have to be focused, because we have to win.We need to find the right balance. Every player has to understand we cannot just have players who defend and players who attack. It’s important that all the players understand their roles and play for each other. We need to get into the same mindset we had at the end of the game against Slovakia.”
Domenico Tedesco, Belgium coach: “I can’t tell you the recipe for drawing a game: we only play to win. We won’t worry about permutations. If it comes to the last ten minutes or so, we know what to do to hang on to a result, but from the start there is no confusion: we are setting out to win it.I would be lying if I said this is just any old stadium and location for me. I grew up here; the first game I went to watch was a VfB [Stuttgart] game.”