Lyusin: We believed we could win Euro 2026, but we're proud of the journey

Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine U-19 midfielder Pavlo Lyusin has opened up about his team's run at the 2026 European Championship, where they reached the semifinals before falling to Germany. “There was some sadness because we dreamed of reaching the final and winning it, but overall I’d give our team a high mark. We won three matches and played some really good football. Of course, playing every three days is tough, and Germany had an extra rest day, but you still have to see every spell of the game through to the end. Otherwise, you can't succeed at this level.” Lyusin noted that fatigue was visible from both sides in the second half. “Actions became more cautious, and substitutions were made with extra time in mind. In games like these, you don't even know where the energy comes from. This is a European Championship semifinal against Germany! Beating them and reaching the final means a lot for any player's and team's resume.” He dismissed the idea that Ukraine were outmuscled. “I wouldn’t say we were inferior physically. The preparation camp in Poland gave us a solid foundation – the group stage proved that. Spain have a very strong side at this tournament, they beat Croatia 3-0 in the other semifinal. Personally, I would have been excited to test myself against a team like that.” The midfielder praised the squad harmony. “We have a fantastic group – on and off the pitch. No disagreements, genuine support for each other. Our confidence never turned into arrogance. I managed to perform fairly well, but that wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates – they scored from my passes and played for me. Shaparenko and Buyalsky are role models not just for their style, but for their stamina: they keep the tempo and run for the whole game without dropping off.” Earlier reports indicated that the Ukrainian youngsters are now preparing for the 2027 U-20 World Cup.