Euro 2024 Clash: Bosnia Hosts Resurgent Ukraine in Playoff Bid

The road to Euro 2024 takes a pivotal turn on Thursday as Bosnia and Herzegovina play host to a rejuvenated Ukraine side in a do-or-die qualifying playoff clash in Zenica. Stakes couldn’t be higher for Serhiy Rebrov’s men, who must prevail at the Bilino Polje Stadium to keep their hopes of reaching Germany alive following a rollercoaster campaign.

Having fallen agonizingly short of direct qualification, Ukraine finds itself at the playoff crossroads after a 1-1 stalemate against Italy in their final Group C fixture. That result left them fourth in the standings, forcing the 2022 World Cup quarterfinalists to go the long route in their bid to grace another major tournament.

On the opposite end, hosts Bosnia enter this high-noon showdown buoyed by the slimmest of chances to book a Euro 2024 ticket. Savo Milošević’s charges endured a tumultuous qualifying run, failing to string together consecutive wins throughout a daunting Group J that included heavyweights like Belgium and Austria.

However, home comforts could prove decisive, with the Dragons unbeaten in their last six outings in Zenica across all competitions. Overturning a star-studded Ukraine outfit that dismantled them 3-0 in their sole prior meeting during World Cup qualifying will require Milošević’s men to summon every ounce of their fighting spirit.

For the visitors, the path is clear – victory or Euro 2024 elimination. Their recent resurgence, sparked by just one defeat in their previous seven qualifiers, has restored belief. But translating that newfound momentum into tangible success on foreign soil against an emboldened Bosnia side is the litmus test that could define Ukraine’s summer plans.

Much will hinge on the performances of Rebrov’s attacking cavalry led by the in-form La Liga duo of Artem Dovbyk and Viktor Tsyhankov, ably supported by Chelsea’s mercurial Mykhailo Mudryk. The absence of talismanic figures like the injured Andriy Yarmolenko will put even greater onus on this potent frontline to deliver when it matters most.

Arsenal’s ever-reliable Oleksandr Zinchenko will likely captain the side in Yarmolenko’s absence, epitomizing the resilience and never-say-die attitude that has characterised Ukraine’s recent resurgence.

Make no mistake, Bosnia will have their work cut out against such a formidable opponent. But with the carrot of a playoff final clash against either Iceland or Israel awaiting the winner, the incentive to rise to the occasion has seldom been greater for Milošević’s men.

In the unforgiving world of qualify-or-go-home playoffs, one nation’s dreams will stay alive while the other is left to ponder what might have been. The stakes are simple: for Ukraine and Bosnia, it’s 90 minutes to Euro 2024 glory or agonizing elimination.