Ukraine are just one of the 24 teams taking part at the Euros 2024 in Germany. Here’s everything you need to know about the team, who shared a group with Slovakia, Belgium and Romania but failed to progress from the group stage.

1. They played their first game in 1991

Ukraine began playing international football after the fall of the Soviet Union and played their first-ever game in Uzhhorod, Ukraine on April 29, 1992. They faced Hungary and were beaten 3-1. However, between 1924 and 1935, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic had their own team.

2. They’ve had a number of badges during the last few decades

This is the sixth badge which has appeared on Ukraine’s shirts throughout their history. It’s based on the country’s coat of arms and is based on the shape of a trident.

3. Ukraine currently play their home games in Poland

Ukraine play their home games at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, but due to the ongoing Russian invasion, the team currently play their home fixtures in the Polish city of Łódź, some 568 miles away.

4. Their captain is Andriy Yarmolenko

After playing for teams like Dynamo Kyiv, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham United, Yarmolenko has returned to Kyiv. He made his international debut in 2009 in a 5–0 win against Andorra and is the team’s current captain.

5. Andriy Shevchenko is the team’s highest goal scorer

The former striker played for Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan and Chelsea. During his international career, he played 111 times for Ukraine and scored 48 goals.

6. Their nickname is The Blue and Yellow

Ukraine fans call the team Синьо-жовті, which means ‘The Blue and Yellow’. Less imaginatively, they’re also nicknamed Збірна, The National Team.

7. San Marino fans don’t want to be reminded of a particular Ukraine match

The team’s biggest victory took place in Lviv, Ukraine on September 6, 2013. They played San Marino and won 9-0. Marko Devic, Yevhen Seleznyov, Edmar, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Roman Bezus, Artem Fedetskiy and Yaroslav Rakitskiy all got their names on the score sheet. Yevhen Khacheridi also scored twice in this massive win! Fun fact: San Marino are ranked 210th in the world.

8. Their worst game took place in 2020

In October 2020, Ukraine were beaten by France at the Stade de France in Paris. The score? 7-1. Back to you in the studio.

9. They’re 24th in FIFA’s world ranking

In June 2024, Ukraine were ranked the 24th best men’s team in the world, according to FIFA. They were ranked as high as 11 in 2007! The world’s number 1 is Argentina, thanks to their 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

10. They share a rivalry with Slovenia and Greece

Apart from a sporting rivalry with Russia, Ukraine also count Slovenia and Greece too, as they’ve played many matches against both teams.

11. Their manager is Serhiy Rebrov

As a striker, Serhiy Rebrov played for Ukraine 75 times and scored 15 times. His club career saw him play for Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv, Tottenham Hotspur, Fenerbahçe, West Ham United and Rubin Kazan. He was appointed manager of the Ukraine team in 2023 (although he was assistant in 2010-11).

12. They’ve not won any major trophies yet

While they’re not stuffed their trophy cabinet with silverware, Ukraine have done pretty well in major competitions. In 2006, they were quarter-finalists in the World Cup and of their four Euro appearances, they managed to get to the quarter finals in the 2020 Euros, which took place in 11 different cities around Europe.

13. The fastest goal scored by a Ukrainian player was under four seconds

While Ukraine haven’t scored any lightning quick goals in international football, our hats go off to Krymteplytsia’s Roman Voynarovskyi, who scored in 3.5 seconds against Feniks-Illichovets Kalinine in 2008. Billy Whizz would be impressed!

14. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk has made the most appearances for Ukraine

Ukraine’s former captain Anatoliy Tymoshchuk made 144 appearances for his country and scored 4 goals, too. He played for the likes of Zenit Saint Petersburg and Bayern Munich during his career.

15. Their fans are called ‘Tifozët Kuq e Zi’

Their loyal supporters are known as the Tifozët Kuq e Zi (Red and Black Fans) and they’re very loud!