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Euro 2020

Ukraine success at Euro 2020 bringing peace to war-torn region as Malinovskyi says ‘everything possible’ against England

, Ukraine success at Euro 2020 bringing peace to war-torn region as Malinovskyi says ‘everything possible’ against England

UKRAINE star Ruslan Malinovskyi says their Euros success is bringing a little peace to the war-torn country.

And Malinovskyi has warned England that “everything is possible” in tomorrow’s quarter-final in Rome, following earlier shocks in the knockout stages.

Ruslan Malinovskyi believes Ukraine are providing ‘a little bit like peace’ for his country’s people with their success at Euro 2020
Ukraine’s surprise run to the quarter-finals has helped unite the nation
, Ukraine success at Euro 2020 bringing peace to war-torn region as Malinovskyi says ‘everything possible’ against England
Man City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko leads celebrations after Ukraine beat Sweden 2-1 in the last 16 with a last-gasp extra-time goal

Ukraine has been involved in conflict with neighbours Russia since 2014 and the midfielder, 28, said: “For Ukraine, football has been really special during this competition because we have not so good things in our country — like the war.

“With Covid, a lot of people have lost their jobs.

“With our results that we have, what we can give is a little bit like peace for the people of Ukraine. We play for them.”

Fans who travel from England and Ukraine will not be allowed into the Stadio Olimpico. 

But Malinovskyi and team-mate Roman Yaremchuk are hoping Italian-based ex-pats from their country will be out in force.

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Malinovskyi said: “We know the whole country will support us. A lot of Ukrainian people live in Italy and I am sure a lot of people will come to support us.

“We felt it in other games, when we played in Budapest and even when we played in Scotland.

, Ukraine success at Euro 2020 bringing peace to war-torn region as Malinovskyi says ‘everything possible’ against England

West Ham wideman Andriy Yarmolenko is keen to tackle fellow Premier League stars when Ukraine face England

, Ukraine success at Euro 2020 bringing peace to war-torn region as Malinovskyi says ‘everything possible’ against England

“A lot of people live in the UK and they came and supported us so hard. It gave us something, to go faster, to be more strong and for the mental part.

“The tournament has already been long with all the preparation but it has given us something.

“To push more and be focused that we play not just for ourselves, we play for the whole country.”

Atalanta star Malinovskyi believes Ukraine have more than a fighting chance against England after Switzerland dumped out favourites France.

Malinovskyi said: “We saw a lot of results that we didn’t expect from the other teams like Switzerland and the Czech Republic beating the Dutch.

“It shows that, in this tournament, everything is possible.”

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Ukraine chief Andriy Shevchenko slammed his team after they scraped into the knockout stages by coming third in Group C.

, Ukraine success at Euro 2020 bringing peace to war-torn region as Malinovskyi says ‘everything possible’ against England

Andriy Shevchenko criticised his side’s struggle in coming third in their group before they KO’d 10-man Sweden 2-1 to reach the last eight

, Ukraine success at Euro 2020 bringing peace to war-torn region as Malinovskyi says ‘everything possible’ against England

Ukraine striker Roman Yaremchuk is jubilant after setting up a clash with England

But they responded with a much- improved performance in the dramatic last-16 win over ten-man Sweden in  stoppage time of extra-time.

Striker Yaremchuk, 25, said: “We haven’t shown our best football yet but we played much better against Sweden.

“We showed we are more of a team and we are more together, we are more dangerous in attack.

“Now in the next round every game is like a final and we will have a chance to show something special against England. We will show we are fighters.”

Shevchenko has already achieved something special by leading Ukraine to the last eight of the Euros for the first time.

Malinovskyi said: “The coach has a lot of personality. He has given something new to the team that we didn’t have before.

, Ukraine success at Euro 2020 bringing peace to war-torn region as Malinovskyi says ‘everything possible’ against England

Ruslan Malinovskyi came off the bench just after the hour as Ukraine beat Sweden

“We have grown up as a team because of this. We have learned a lot of things, a more European way.

“Before we played more simple, now we look for other things, everything is new.”

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West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko, who has recovered from an injury-hit season to  captain his nation, will certainly have the bit between his teeth tomorrow.

Malinovskyi said: “Last month when he didn’t play for his club he thought a lot about it and prepared to be fit for the Euros.

“He’s a real captain, he takes the team with him, he will be fit and motivated to play against England.

“It’s special for him because he plays in England and against the England  team it will be a chance for him to show that he deserves to play in the Premier League.”

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But it is Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who have it all to prove in a game for which most people make them big  favourites.

Malinovskyi said: “It’s nice to be in this position, that England are favourites. It gives more pressure for them than for us.”

Yaremchuk added: “They will feel pressure for sure, because it’s a famous team. It’s a big chance to go to the next round.”

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, Ukraine success at Euro 2020 bringing peace to war-torn region as Malinovskyi says ‘everything possible’ against England Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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