A near-flawless qualification campaign and terrific group stage draw have Ukraine in position to make a run into the knockout stages at Euro 2020. But is the talent there to take them deep into the tournament?
- Odds to Win Euros: +5,000
- Odds to Win Group C: +450
- Head Coach: Andriy Shevchenko
- Team Name: The Main Team
Ukraine schedule & opponents
Group C's Ukraine open with a tough game in Amsterdam against Netherlands but then gets two easier matches in Romania against North Macedonia and Austria.
| Date | Time | Home Team Odds | Draw | Away Team Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 13 | 3 pm ET | Netherlands -167 | +260 | Ukraine +500 |
| June 17 | 9 am ET | Ukraine -149 | +269 | North Macedonia -488 |
| June 21 | Noon ET | Ukraine +150 | +234 | Austria +200 |
Pre-tournament match odds
Odds for Ukraine to win
Following the postponement, Ukraine reopened at +10,000 on the Euro 2020 odds board. Their price continues to get bet and is now as low as +5,000
Here’s how Ukraine’s odds to win the tournament have looked over the last eight months, as compared to the other tournament contenders.
Ukraine team preview
On paper, Ukraine presents everything that a bettor wants in a long-shot wager.
- They have an experienced manager —Andriy Shevchenko — with international pedigree.
- They have an experienced striker and leading scorer — Andriy Yarmolenko — with plenty of international big tournament success.
- They have an experienced middle defender — Mykola Matvienko — who has played more matches under the current manager than any other player on the team.
- They have a leader in goal — Andriy Pyatov — who has played more international matches than any other player on the team (96 caps).
When taking the high-level view of the squads, Ukraine has the experience, leadership, and talent at each level of play on the pitch. Even in the midfield link with 27-year-old Ruslan Malinovskyi, there is a cohesion and familiarity with other key cogs that is so important on stages as big as this.
With so many connections between players at the club level, the on-field chemistry is extremely enticing to back as a bettor, especially in the group stage against weaker opponents. But the question for Ukraine and how far they can go depends on the competition at the higher level. Qualification against the likes of Slovenia, Portugal, Serbia, Luxembourg, and Lithuania was fairly easy, and results showed. Nations League against Spain, Germany, and Switzerland was difficult — and results showed.
Ukraine player to watch
Name: Roman Yaremchuk
Age: 25
Position: Striker
Yarmolenko will get the accolades and recognition, but 25-year-old Roman Yaremchuk will get the bulk of the opportunities. Yarmolenko is the leading scorer for the Ukraine national team, but his output at the club level this season has been zero. Yaremchuk not only led Ukraine in goals during qualification but enters the tournament in great form, scoring 17 times in 28 matches in the Belgian domestic league. There is no value in betting him as a top goalscorer, but in a group where goalscoring will be high, anytime goalscorer markets during matches are a great fit to back Yaremchuk.
Player prop to bet: Yaremchuk anytime goalscorer markets for individual markets
Ukraine prediction
Best bet: Ukraine to make quarterfinals (+162)
Ukraine will almost certainly find their way into the knockout stage and they definitely have the experience and talent across the field to win a match in the Round of 16. However, it feels like a case of being one elite superstar forward away from having the capability to do more than that. Bet on Ukraine to make the quarterfinals at odds of +162.
Go back to our Euro 2020 Teams page for previews of all 24 countries
