WROCLAW – Ukraine’s qualification for Euro 2024 on March 26 has cheered a country suffering hardship in its conflict with Russia, and for a few weeks in June and July, the tournament will provide a welcome distraction from war.

The team came from behind to defeat Iceland 2-1 in their play-off final in neutral Poland and book a fourth successive appearance in the Finals. They are in Group E with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania.

Russia’s war with Ukraine has now entered a third year and, despite heavy casualties on both sides, it shows no sign of coming to an end so this is at least something positive for the many affected.

“I am very proud to be a Ukrainian, to be of the same blood as those who are now giving their lives for our freedom,” captain Oleksandr Zinchenko said after the win.

“We need to talk about it, shout about it every day. This is the only way we can win.

“It was one of our most emotional games. It is an amazing feeling. I am very happy because it is another dream come true.

“A big thank you to our fans, they helped us through these difficult times amazingly.”

Coach Serhiy Rebrov said in the build-up to the match that it was hard for his team to concentrate on football.

“The missiles are flying every day. Our mission is to show that we’re all alive and fighting against the Russians and that we need Europe’s support,” he said.

He also hailed the “character of our players and our nation” to keep going in a qualifying campaign where, as refugees from the war themselves, Ukraine have staged “home” matches across Europe.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a message: “Thank you boys! Thank you to the team! For proving once again that when Ukrainians face challenges but refuse to give up and continue the fight, they invariably win.”

There was some poetic irony that Poland, where Ukraine’s mission was completed successfully, currently has the largest concentration of Ukrainian refugees of any country.

Chants of “Ukraine, Ukraine” rang around the stadium, the scenes of jubilation and yellow and blue flags waving not far removed from what might be expected if the game was in Kyiv.

It has certainly been no easy path to the Finals.

Rebrov’s side came through a tough qualifying group that included European champions Italy and runners-up England, managing draws against both sides.

It followed the disappointment of losing to Wales in a play-off for a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after which former striker Rebrov took over in June 2023.

With Roman Yaremchuk and Artem Dovbyk in attack, the pace of winger Mykhailo Mudryk, guile of Zinchenko in midfield and steel of Illia Zabarnyi and Vitaliy Mykolenko at the back, Ukraine have a capable squad.

Crucially, they have proven that they can battle against the odds in the face of adversity and win, a quality that will surely resonate in the country.

“It was very difficult to be coaching today, I saw how difficult it was for the guys,” added Rebrov, who saw Mudryk score an 84th-minute winner after Viktor Tsygankov had cancelled out Albert Gudmundsson’s early goal for Iceland.

“I am grateful to all of them for this gift for our country. In such a difficult time, it is very important.”

Poland also secured their place at the Finals with a penalty shoot-out victory over Wales.

The Poles go into a difficult Group D along with France, the Netherlands and Austria, after getting the better of the Welsh in a tense 5-4 shoot-out at the end of their play-off final in Cardiff which ended 0-0.

Georgia made history by qualifying for a first major international tournament since the country seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991.

They beat Greece 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at the end of extra time in Tbilisi, and will be in Group F alongside Portugal, Turkey and Czech Republic. REUTERS, AFP