Maxim Bragaru heads into Wednesday's crucial European U21 Championship match with goals in consecutive games, as Ukraine prepares to face the Netherlands in their Group D finale at "1 FC Tatran" Stadium in Presov.
"We've put ourselves in a good position where even a draw sends us through to the quarter-finals," the Dynamo Kyiv forward might say about Ukraine's favorable situation.
The June 18th showdown (21:00 local time) presents dramatically different scenarios for both teams. Unai Melgosa's Ukrainian squad needs just a point to advance, while the Dutch must secure all three points after collecting only one from their first two matches.
Despite being favored by bookmakers with 1.80 odds for victory, the "orange youth" have struggled to convert chances into goals. Their campaign began with disappointment when they lost 2:1 to Denmark despite taking an early lead through an opposition own goal in the 19th minute.
Mikhael Reiziger, the Netherlands head coach, seems unsettled on his optimal attacking lineup. Forwards Ruben van Bommel from AZ Alkmaar and Noah Okafor from Utrecht have started both matches but remain goalless - a frustrating situation for a team known for its attacking prowess.
Interestingly, Ukraine has impressed with their tactical flexibility. Against Finland, they dominated the first half with aggressive midfield play before scoring a quick second goal after halftime and shifting to a more defensive approach. This 2:0 victory followed their narrow loss to Denmark where they competed well until conceding late.
Bragaru has been the standout performer for the "blue and yellows," scoring in both previous matches and earning Man of the Match honors against Finland. His clinical finishing could prove decisive again.
Historically, these nations' U21 teams have met five times between 2010 and 2018, with the Netherlands holding a slight 2:1 advantage in wins. But past results mean little now - it's all about who can handle the pressure on Wednesday.
Will Reiziger's attacking puzzle finally come together when it matters most? Or can Melgosa's tactical acumen guide Ukraine to the knockout stages? This one promises goals - bookmakers have set the over 2.5 goals line at just 1.57.
