Euro 2016 preview: Ukraine out to frustrate opponents into submission

Prevention will be the name of the game when Ukraine kicks off its Euro 2016 campaign, as the country leans on its resolute defence to play a critical role in its quest to advance past the group stage of the competition for the first time.

Mykhaylo Fomenko leads the 22nd ranked nation into the Euros for the third consecutive tournament after getting by Slovenia in a two-legged play-off to qualify for the finals in France.

After bowing out of the tournament on home soil in 2012, Ukraine will look to revive the spirit and form that saw the eastern European nation overachieve at the 2006 World Cup and advance to the quarterfinals, the furthest point the nation has progressed in either competition.

The talent in Fomenko's squad compared to the successful 2006 edition of the Ukrainian team leaves a little to be desired with the legendary Andriy Shevchenko calling time on his career four years ago. But an experienced collection of players, led by Andriy Yarmolenko​, could help Ukraine give Poland a run for the second place position, and emerge out of Group C. Failure to finish ahead of the Poles might not matter if Ukraine finishes among the four best third-placed teams to advance to the knockout round.

Group Schedule

Projected Starting XI

Despite the country's primary scoring threats coming from the flanks, coach Fomenko will still rely on the likes of Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka to help out on defence in his guarded version of the 4-2-3-1 formation. His emphasis on deploying a cautious alignment will only benefit the country if Ukraine is able to inflict damage on the counter-attack whenever an opportunity to catch opponents on their back foot materialises.

Key Player: Andriy Yarmolenko​​

Ukraine could have been on the outside looking in if it wasn't for Yarmolenko's heroics in the final leg of the country's play-off triumph over Slovenia. The Dynamo Kyiv star's two goals ensured a berth in France, proving further that the 26-year-old will be vital to Ukraine's success.

But a recent altercation with fellow countryman Taras Stepanenko during a domestic match - where Yarmolenko kicked out at the Shakhtar Donetsk player - has some worried about chemistry within the team.

Differences aside, the versatile player could just as well add to his 24 international goals as much as set his teammates up with his elite vision and awareness in attack.

Breakout Star: Viktor Kovalenko

With just two caps under his belt, Viktor Kovalenko could struggle to find a place in Fomenko's team when Ukraine's starting squad is announced ahead of the first match against Germany. Yet, depending on the team's display during a match Ukraine's expected to lose, Kovalenko may not be far off from making his debut for the country at a major tournament in the final two games. Along with proving he's a more than capable playmaker up the middle of the pitch, Kovalenko has a reputation for possessing a lethal scoring touch after finishing as the top scorer at last summer's Under-20 World Cup.

Tournament Expectations

It shouldn't be hard to improve on its last-place finish in 2012 with newcomers Northern Ireland in the fold. The country's sights, however, will be set on a place in the knockout round. Whether that comes via a second place finish, or, as mentioned previously, advancing as a top-four third place side, will depend on the outcome of Ukraine's massive clash with Poland during its final group stage match.