I will never forget what Belgium did for my family...
(But my kids will still be supporting Ukraine!)
SERHIY SYDORCHUK will never forget the sanctuary provided by Belgium.
But the Ukraine star admits loyalty to his adopted homeland goes out the window as he seeks further Euro 2024 glory.
Sydorchuk and his family took the opportunity presented by Westerlo last year to escape the war in their country.
Having spent 11 years with Dynamo Kyiv, the midfielder headed to the Belgian league with the safety of his family key to the transfer decision.
Sydorchuk said: “I am very grateful to Belgium I could go there after the war in our country.
“My children can go to school there and we can just go to the supermarket.”
However, for one night that will be forgotten as he added: “I have to disappoint Belgium but my children will support Ukraine! The match is the continuation of our fairy tale.
“We have now been at war for 900 days and every football match takes the Ukrainians out of the rough reality. The key to victory is passion. If we are passionate about the game, like we were against Slovakia, we can achieve success.
“Belgium are very strong in attack but have some problems in defence. We can use this to our advantage.”
Sydorchuk’s team were on the floor after a 3-0 opening defeat at the hands of Romania but bounced back superbly to sink the Slovaks and move back into qualification contention. All four teams in Group E have three points and Ukraine’s boss knows his side face the stiffest challenge. Coach Sergei Rebrov said: “Belgium are a very strong team and before the Euros they were the big favourite [for the group]. “We have to win.” Belgian gaffer Domenico Tedesco has talent throughout his squad, with Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne superb in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Romania.
But Rebrov said: “We don’t just have to stop De Bruyne or Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku already has many chances in every match thanks to Belgium’s play.
“We’ll have to watch out for that. Belgium have a lot of quality and we have to show respect for them. But, first of all, we have to look at ourselves. We now have three points and know our job.”
Rebrov is aware the wrong outcome for his team could see them reliant on events between Romania and Slovakia in the group’s other concluding game.
Defeat for Ukraine would see a draw suit both their rivals but Rebrov said: “Of course I will find out the score of Slovakia v Romania during the match but I don’t count on it too much.”
Incredibly, should both games be draws, Ukraine would exit on goal difference with four points while a third-placed group finisher could progress with one fewer.
Rebrov added: “I don’t know if that is fair or not but such competition regulations mean we have to adapt.”
Every football match takes the Ukrainians out of the rough reality SERHIY SYDORCHUK IS THINKING ABOUT HIS WAR-TORN NATION