Ukraine

In 2020, Ukraine made their return to the EHF EURO after a 10-year absence. This comeback was not crowned with success, as Ukraine came back from Trondheim with three losses under their belts, even though they did not lose a game by more than four goals.

Can they do any better at EHF EURO 2022? Ukraine made it to the final tournament by finishing among the best third-ranked teams in qualification. In group 3, they collected five points, including one in a draw against Russia, the future leader of their group.

In Hungary and Slovakia, Ukraine will rely particularly on players sporting the colours of HC Motor in the EHF Champions League. Gennadiy Komok, Dmytro Horiha and Vladyslav Dontsov are all regulars in the major European club competition, and with two more seasons under their belt, they could help their country win their first game in a EHF EURO since 2006. 

However, Motor stalwarts Zahkhar Denysov and Artem Kozakevych have been left out of the EURO squad this time around – it remains to be seen how much their absence will be felt.

In a group composed of France, Croatia and Serbia, Ukraine might look like the underdogs, but their fighting spirit will help them surprise anyone taking them lightly. Not so long ago, Evgeny Budko and his boys proved that they could compete with the likes of North Macedonia and Iceland. That could give them a chance, particularly against Serbia, and hopes of a second main round qualification in history after 2002.