Ukraine v Poland Tuesday 21st June 2016 Kickoff 1700hrs Football – European Championships – International
The games continue to come thick and fast at Euro 2016 and Tuesday sees the final four games split across Group’s C and D. Poland can finish anywhere between first and third, however their opponents are playing solely for pride with no chance of reaching the knockout stages. Despite both nations hosting the previous European Championships, in 2012, this will be the first time they have faced each other at a major tournament.
No matter what happens on Tuesday in Marseille, this will be a competition that all concerned with the Ukraine will want to forget instantly. Their first two games have seen them beaten 2-0 by both Germany and Northern Ireland – rendering their third and final group game virtually meaningless. Despite their first half performance against the world champions offering them some hope considering the chances they created, there has been next to no positives to take from anything coming after that. Germany stifled what little threat they posed in the second 45 minutes, whilst the overall performance against Northern Ireland was arguably the worst any side has turned in at the tournament. It now leaves them with a virtually meaningless final group game to play before they can begin to concentrate on the next qualifying campaign, where they will then be managed by their greatest ever player – Andriy Shevchenko.
If you had offered Poland’s head coach, Adam Nawalka, four points after two games and a very realistic chance of topping Group C with one game to play, before the start of the tournament, he would have been absolutely delighted. However, he may well be thinking that his team should have maximum points from their first two games. The Poles were the better team against Germany, last Thursday, with the two best chances of the game falling to Arkadiusz Milik, who was unable to convert either. Whilst it looks very likely that Poland will be playing in the knockout stages, by only taking one point from that game could be the difference between finishing top and subsequently ensuring a more favourable draw in the next round. Nevertheless, Poland have impressed in large spells of both their games and should be confident of taking all three points from a poor Ukraine side which would then ensure they can finish no worse than second. With a view to future games, however, Nawalka would like to see his misfiring star strikers hit some form.
There’s no doubt that much better was expected from this Ukrainian squad, especially as they possess two of the most exciting attacking talents in the competition courtesy of Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmalenko. Unfortunately, like the rest of their squad, they have been severely disappointing and not been seen to anything like their best. As those two have not performed, it has meant Ukraine have looked disjointed and toothless. There has been the well reported spat between Yarmalenko and midfielder Taras Stepenenko, and it makes you wonder how much that (and the divide between Dyanmo Kiev and Shakthar Donetsk) has had on the atmosphere in the squad. It’s one thing playing two games every couple of months during qualifying, but spending weeks together for the duration of this competition is something completely different – and it could well be a factor in Ukraine’s poor displays.
Whilst it has been Milik’s missed chances in the games against Northern Ireland and Germany that have been the major talking point of Poland’s campaign thus far, the more concerning aspect of their first two games is Robert Lewandowski’s quiet start to the tournament. For a man who is so used to scoring goals at the highest level – including 30 in the Bundesliga last season – chances have been at a premium for Poland’s captain. Despite being the central striker, supported by Milik, the Bayern Munich player has been more of a creator of chances thus far. Lewandowski will be as frustrated as anyone when he’s not troubling goalkeepers, but he’ll also be happy with how his team have performed overall, but also looking to contribute with goals in their final group game and beyond.
Ukraine v Poland Betting Tips
There has been much speculation about events off the field with both sets of supporters heading into this game but that will be the furthest thing from the minds of the Polish players and staff as they look to progress to the knockout stages of a European Championships for the first time in their history. Ukraine’s attitude could go one of two ways, here, with nothing to play for other than pride. The fact they are under no pressure could see them play with a bit more freedom and allow their two creative players the opportunity to express themselves. Or it could reduce their motivation even further and turn into a really long night – from what I’ve seen thus far, I’d be inclined to believe the latter of those outcomes is more likely.
With Germany playing Northern Ireland at the same time in the other group game, Poland will expect Joachim Low’s men to take all three points which mean they have to win by at least a couple of goals if they are to top the group. I certainly do not think that’s beyond them, though, and we could well see Ukraine be on the end of Lewandowski and Milik’s wrath. Their profligacy in front of goal will not continue forever and this type of game – where they can expect to create chances against a desolate opposition defence – will suit them.
As well as backing Poland straight up, I would not be adverse to being a little more adventurous and taking them to cover on the handicap, too.
Poland 21/20 @ Ladbrokes
Poland -1 AH 2/1 @ 888Sport
