Old acquaintance Sergei Serebrennikov introduces European Championship opponent Ukraine: “Young potential and best coach”

Ukraine will be the Red Devils’ third opponent at the European Championships in Germany next summer. Yesterday it won the play-off final against Iceland 2-1. What can we expect from Ukraine next summer? Ex-international Sergei Serebrennikov, who played football for Club Brugge, Charleroi and Cercle Brugge, provides the answers.

To whom does the name Serebrennikov ring a bell? We’ll call him at the airport. He has been working as a player’s agent since 2015 and business is going well.

Around the turn of the century, Club Brugge plucked him from Dinamo Moscow. He would remain in our country with spells at Charleroi, Cercle and second division KSV Roeselare. He also became a coach there. Until he stood on the other side and became a recognized FIFA football agent.

“It was not 1 final, but 2,” opened the 12-time Ukrainian international. “Last week in the semi-finals in Bosnia we had a fairly difficult match against a good defensive team. Only in the end were we able to overcome a deficit.” Only in the final minutes did Jaremchuk (ex-Ghent, ex-Club) make it 2-1 with a goal and assist.

“Yesterday we played a much better match against Iceland. But unfortunately we fell behind 0-1 due to a nice goal. And in one match it will be exciting. But Ukraine played good and attractive football with a mix of young and experienced players, so it was deserved that we qualified.”

Ukraine played good and attacking football against Iceland. It was a well-deserved qualification.

Sergei Serebrennikov

These are difficult times for Ukraine, which has been under attack by Russia for two years. “There is not much joy in our country and for the people. Such small things bring a little joy.”

“Next summer the U17, the U19 and the A-team will play the European Championship and the Olympic team will be in Paris. That is a lot for Ukraine. We are of course a big country with a lot of talent. But the results do not always follow. The qualification is therefore important.”

“The spirit,” Serebrennikov throws out without hesitation. Immediately followed by the coach’s name. “Sergej Rebrov is currently the best coach in Ukraine. He achieved results with different teams.”

“He was champion with Dinamo Kiev, with Ferencvaros in Hungary and with Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates. And now he is also doing it with Ukraine.”

Rebrov played 75 times for Ukraine and wore the shirt of Tottenham, Fenerbahçe and West Ham, among others. “He took charge in a difficult situation. He created a team with strong individual players that plays as a team. That is their strength. The football can always be better, but they are on the right track.”

There is therefore still room for improvement at number 24 in the FIFA ranking (Belgium is 4th). “They have to become more consistent. They show that they can play good football, but they have to maintain that level.”

“Sometimes the team finds itself in difficult situations, but then they show character. With the experience that comes, we can have a strong team.”

The team needs to become even more consistent. They can play football well, but they have to maintain the level.

Sergei Serebrennikov

Serebrennikov lists a few names: “Moedryk from Chelsea, Sudakov van Shakhtar is one of the greatest talents, Tsychankov is doing very well at Girona, just like Dovbyk with the same Spanish team.”

“There is Yaremchuk and central defender Zabarnji from Bournemouth in England.”

“There are not 1 or 2 players who stand out. This is one of the best selections of recent years, but the group still has to grow. Then they have a bright future.”

When asked about Ukraine’s secret weapon next summer, Serebrennikov does not mention a new name. “It doesn’t have to be a secret. If our young players with a lot of potential – I’m thinking of Moedryk and Sudakov – can be at their best in Germany, that is our greatest asset.”

Moedryk scored the qualifying goal yesterday.

The Belgian football fan will certainly have recognized the names of Ruslan Malinovsky and Roman Yaremchuk in the starting eleven. The first played champion with Genk in 2019 and is now at Genoa, the second was a striker in Ghent and Bruges and is now active at Valencia.

“Malinovski is an experienced player. He always plays his match and is always at the same level. He can play fantastic matches, but even when he doesn’t perform as well, he is important. He is one of the players who can decide how things will go.” team plays, he can also bring calmness.”

“Jaremchuk has had ups and downs over the past two years, but he was super important in these play-offs. He was good for a goal and an assist against Bosnia and he also showed his qualities against Iceland.”

On June 26 in Stuttgart, Ukraine and Belgium will play against each other in the last match of their European Championship group.