Ukrainian footballer Serhiy Nazarenko was named a key component of the national squad during this summer’s 2012 European championship, according to the tournament’s technical report compiled by UEFA, Europe’s top soccer governing body.
Released in late September, UEFA said the
32-year old Tavria Simferopol midfielder was “a key player, linking and
balancing attack and defense.”
The report characterized the team as having
a “very compact defense,” while having “fast counterattacking as a major
feature,” being “dangerous” on deliveries on set plays and for having “quick
transitions into defensive block.”
Also noted was Dynamo Kyiv forward Andriy
Yarmolenko and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk midfielder Yevhen Konoplyanka for being “fast
wingers with good dribbling skills,” as well as Dynamo Kyiv defender Oleh Gusev
for being a “highly attack-minded right-back.”
UEFA noticed the Ukrainian team emphasized
positive possession play having made more than 500 passes a game.
Ukraine enjoyed superiority in possession against
Sweden (53 percent) and England (59 percent), and was slightly behind against
France (48 percent). The team also had a 70 percent passing accuracy rate.
Ukraine beat only Sweden 2-1 in three group
games, failing to advance in the tournament.
Overall, UEFA said the report sheds “fascinating
light on the technical and tactical trends that made the summer’s tournament in
Poland and Ukraine a joy to watch.”
In particular the report noted that taking
the initiative and ball control were key elements for victory: “The art of
retaining the ball has taken on paramount importance […] Spain once again
provided clear examples of the value of individual technique, the ability to
twist and turn away from pressure, and the capacity to make rapid changes of
speed in restricted areas.”
Kyiv
Post editor Mark Rachkevych can be reached at [email protected].
