Famous names on the bench

Some fans may well recognise the names of Romania and Ukraine’s managers.

Edward Iordanescu is the man leading Romania at Euro 2024 and he will be hoping to replicate the success of his father Anghel.

Anghel coached Romania at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where the national team reached the quarter-finals.

MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 16: Edward Iordanescu, Head Coach of Romania, speaks during a press conference ahead of the group stage match against Ukraine at Munich Football Arena on June 16, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Jasmin Walter - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

As for Ukraine, they are led by their former striker Sergii Rebrov, who formed part of a formidable partnership with Shevchenko at Dynamo Kyiv in the 1990s.

Rebrov was not able to replicate that success after joining Tottenham, before having a brief spell at West Ham.

He has enjoyed an impressive coaching career to date, winning two league titles with Dynamo Kyiv.

Rebrov won a further three leagues titles with Ferencvaros and led the Hungarian club into the Champions League, before completing a domestic double in the UAE with Al Ain.

MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 16: Sergii Rebrov, Head Coach of Ukraine, speaks during a press conference ahead of the group stage match against Romania at Munich Football Arena on June 16, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Jasmin Walter - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Romania qualified for Euro 2024 with relative ease, dominating their qualifying group.

Edward Iordanescu’s side finished unbeaten in Group I, ending five points clear of runners-up Switzerland.

A word of warning for those expecting goals today.

Romania conceded just five in their 10 matches in qualifying and despited netting 16, six of those came against Andorra.

Ukraine were forced to come through the play-offs to book their place at Euro 2024, after finishing behind England and Italy in their qualifying group.

The play-offs proved a nervy affair with Ukraine scoring twice in the final five minutes to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semi-finals.

Mykhailo Mudryk then struck late to beat Iceland 2-1 in the final.

Ukraine could well pose a threat at Euro 2024 under the management of Serhiy Rebrov.

Read Mail Sport’s full breakdown of Ukraine here

ROMANIA TEAM NEWS

A familar face for Tottenham fans with their January signing Radu Dragusin starting at the heart of Romania’s defence.

Captain Nicole Stanciu is one of just two players in the Romanian squad to have been to a major international tournament before.

Romania: Nita, Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu, Razvan Marin, Marius Marin, Man, Stanciu, Coman, Dragus

UKRAINE TEAM NEWS

Some very familiar names in Ukraine’s starting line-up.

Three Premier League representatives in Zinchenko, Mudryk and Zabarnyi from Arsenal, Chelsea and Bournemouth respectively.

Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin is between the posts and La Liga’s top scorer Artem Dovbyk leads the line.

Transfer gossip column watchers will also been keen to watch Georgiy Sudakov.

The 21-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk star has been touted with a potential big money move this summer.

Ukraine’s Illia Zabarnyi has also been speaking about the impact of the war pre-match.

The Bournemouth defender has paid tribute to those fighting at home to defend the country,’ Zabarnyi said.

‘I think the fact I am here now, it’s down to our warriors who defend our country. They are incredible people who with bravery win everything. I am so grateful to them.

‘The major difference with the previous Euros is that, because there is war in our country and it’s very difficult when you wake up and you think what happens to your friends at home.

‘Of course it can pressurise everyone, but it adds great motivation to come on to the pitch and to do everything possible.’

Hopes high for Ukraine at Euro 2024 but thoughts remain at home

Ukraine have been touted as possible dark horses at Euro 2024 given their talented squad, but their presence alone remains remarkable given the ongoing war back home.

Legendary forward and Ukraine Football Association president Andriy Shevchenko has today been highlighting the impact of the war.

Shevchenko has taken part in the unveiling of an installation in Munich which features damaged seats from the Sonyachny stadium in Kharkiv.

The stadium had been built for Euro 2012 but has been damaged by Russian shelling in the war.

Shevchenko was pictured with children holding a sign reading ‘My national team is as invincible as my country’.

Fans attending the match are also able to wear virtual reality glasses showing the Sonyachny stadium.

TOPSHOT - The President of the Ukrainian Association of Football Andriy Shevchenko poses with children holding a poster that reads "My national team is as invincible as my country" in front of an installation of damaged seats in the colors of Ukraine taken from the Sonyachny football stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on June 17, 2024 in Munich, southern Germany, where will be taking place the UEFA Euro 2024 first round football match of Romania v Ukraine later the day. The installation is dedicated to the sports facilities which have been bombed during the Russian-Ukrainian war. Kharkiv was one of the cities to host the UEFA Euro 2012 European Football Championship. The Sonyachny stadium was built for this competition and used afterwards as training base for the Ukrainian national football team. It was destroyed by Russian shelling in May 2022. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP) (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Andriy Shevchenko, Ukrainian football legend and UAF President, presents an installation ahead of the Group E match between Romania and Ukraine at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Munich, Germany, Monday, June 17, 2024. A poignant installation has been unveiled ahead of Ukraine's first match at the European Championship. A destroyed stand from Kharkiv's Sonyachny stadium that was built for Euro 2012 has been displayed in a square in Munich ahead of the team's opener against Romania. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
epa11417384 A man wears VR glasses at an installation exhibiting damaged seats from the Sonyachny Stadium of Kharkiv, Ukraine, at Wittelsbacherplatz in Munich, Germany, 17 June 2024. Ukraine was a co-host for the UEFA EURO 2012 soccer tournament and the stadium was damaged during shelling amid the ongoing Russian invasion. Ukraine's national team will face Romania in their UEFA EURO 2024 debut match in Munich, Germany, on 17 June. EPA/ANNA SZILAGYI

Romania fans soaking in the pre-match atmosphere

Looks like a glorious day in Munich with fans making their way to the Allianz Arena in the sunshine.

Romania fans certainly look to be soaking it all up ahead of their team’s return to an international tournament.

Their last appearance at a major finals came at Euro 2016, where it is fair to say their impact was limited.

Romania finished bottom of their group with just one point. Both of their goals also came from the penalty spot.

They will be hoping for much better this time around.

MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 17: General view outside the stadium as fans gather prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Romania and Ukraine at Munich Football Arena on June 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Chris Ricco - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 17: Fans of Romania show their support outside the stadium prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Romania and Ukraine at Munich Football Arena on June 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Chris Ricco - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 17: A fan of Romania waves a flag outside the stadium prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Romania and Ukraine at Munich Football Arena on June 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Good afternoon!

It is all eyes on Munich for the first match of the day at Euro 2024 as Romania and Ukraine get the ball rolling in Group E.

With Belgium and Slovakia completing the group line-up it should be a very open tussle to see which teams advance to the knock-out stage.

Romania and Ukraine will be keen to get off to the perfect start this afternoon.

Stay with us for all the team news and updates from the 2pm kick off.

MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 17: A fan of Romania, wearing a Bucket Hat and face paint in the colours of the national flag, poses for a photograph as he enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Romania and Ukraine at Munich Football Arena on June 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Chris Ricco - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Key Updates

  • ROMANIA TEAM NEWS
  • UKRAINE TEAM NEWS
  • Hopes high for Ukraine at Euro 2024 but thoughts remain at home
  • Good afternoon!

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