Romania vs Ukraine – Euro 2024: Live rating, crew information and updates

The first attempt of note from Ukraine, as Dovbyk fashions a half-chance following a set piece.

Ukraine’s forward fires high and over the Romanian crossbar.

A signal of intent at least.

The pattern of the game feels set already.

Romania are well set-up in their defence shape and looking to spring away on the break.

The challenge for Ukraine will be making the most of their possession and breaking through Romania’s defensive line.

You can see why Romania only conceded five goals in qualifying at the moment.

Ukraine are making the early running in Munich, pushing forward and dominating possession.

The Romanian defence has held firm so far.

Andrei Burca gets a crucial foot in to turn the ball away from Dovbyk before Ukraine’s dangerman could get his shot away.

A first sighter for Romania with Florinel Coman trying his luck from distance.

His curling effort is comfortably held by Andriy Lunin in the Ukraine goal.

A brief delay after Zabarnyi had been caught with a late follow through from an early challenge.

As mentioned earlier, Ukraine’s players came out draped in their national flag.

Certainly trying to highlight the plight of their nation back home.

Ukraine look to get Artem Dovbyk in behind early on, with the forward sprinting beyond Radu Dragusin.

Dovbyk is unable to bring the ball down and it runs through to Nita in the Romania goal.

A similar story at the other end as Romania try to pick out Stanciu.

The captain gives a thumbs up at the idea.

Ukraine, all in blue, get proceedings underway in Munich.

A bright start too as Mudryk goes on a darting run from the left cutting inside, but he eventually runs into traffic.

Romania are not to be undone in the national anthem stakes, with their vocal fans pumping up the volume even further.

With kick-off just moments away, allow me to give you a reminder of the respective line-ups.

Romania: Nita, Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu, Man, R. Marin, M. Marin, Stanciu, Coman, Dragus

Ukraine: Lunin, Konoplia, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Zinchenko, Stepanenko, Shaparenko, Tsygankov, Sudakov, Mudryk, Dovbyk

Just five minutes to go until kick-off and here come the two teams.

Ukraine players have come out draped in their nation’s flag as a show of unity amid the ongoing war.

Unsurprisingly a very emotional rendition of their national anthem.

Ukraine should, hopefully, be a cracking watch going forward with Dobyrk up front backed up by Girona team-mate Viktor Tsyhankov and Chelsea’s Mudryk.

Much has also been made of their rising star Georgiy Sudakov, who will play in the No 10 role.

Mail Sport’s Simon Jones reported last month that Chelsea were among those with an interest in the 21-year-old.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have all checked on his progress.

‘This summer window, he has a big chance to move to some big clubs,’ Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin has said.

‘We have had some contacts with big clubs and some are not negotiating with us directly but are getting a feel for the summer environment.’

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.

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.

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

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

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.’

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.

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.

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.