French side won the contest. Hosts defeated Brazil by three goals to nil in the final. That was the first time 32 teams took part in this tournament. Unfortunately Ukraine didn’t manade to reach finals. The Yellow-Blues finished second in their group in qualification, but after that they lost against Croatia in playoffs (1:3 on aggregate).
In general 49 teams took part in qualifying round. They were divided into nine groups.
Ukrainians faced Germany, Portugal, Armenia, Northern Ireland and Albania. Our team performed under the charge of Yozhef Sabo.
At that time the national team was mostly formed of FC Dynamo Kyiv players.
Leaders till the last matchday
Ukraine started qualification pretty well. Sabo’s men defeated Northern Ireland in Belfast. Eight Kyivans took the field in that game. The only goal of the match was scored bys Serhiy Rebrov. Other Dynamo representatives were Olexandr Shovkovskyi, Oleh Luzhnyi, Olexandr Holovko, Serhiy Bezhenar, Yuriy Kalytvyntsev, Yuriy Maxymov and Viktor Leonenko.
Later Ukrainians were victorious over Portugal in Kyiv – 2:1. One of the goals was netted by Yuriy Maxymov. Six Dynamo performers featured in that game.
As for away fixture, the Yellow-Blues lost by one goal to nil. Dmytrulin, Bezhenar, Holovko, Maxymov, Rebrov, Kalytvyntsev and Kosovskyi played for Ukraine.
In early 1997 Sabo’s men defeated Albania on neutral turf – 1:0. Rebrov scored the decider. 10 Kyivans made their contribution into the win.
After that Ukraine gained three points featuring against Northern Ireland at the NSC Olimpiyskyi – 2:1. 10 Dynamo performers were in the starting lineup. Kosovskyi opened the score 3 minutes into the match and Shevchenko hit the target after the break.
Later the Yellow-Blues suffered 2:0 defeat against Germany away. 11 Kyivans took part in that match.
Home draw against Armenia (1:1) was rather unexpected for Ukrainians. Shevchenko opened the score in the first half, but Petrosian netted the equalizer 75 minutes into the game.
One of the most significant achievements for Ukraine was goalless draw against Germany in a month.
12 representatives of our club (!) took the field that day.
In the following home fixture Sabo’s men won against Albania by narrow margin – 1:0.
Rebrov scored the only goal of the match several minutes before the time.
In the qualifying round final match the Yellow-Blues defeated Armenia away – 2:0. Goals were netted by Shevchenko and Maxymov.
Ukrainians were leaders of their group till the last matchday, but eventually they finished second and faced Croatia in playoffs.
Fatal playoffs
Ukraine lost the first leg in Zagreb by two goals to nil. Eight Kyivans took the field that day.
That situation didn’t seem to be critical.
Moreover, Shevchenko opened the score in home fixture four minutes into the game. Still Croatia managed to equalize before the break. The final score of that match is 1:1.
Twists of fate
Olexandr Shovkovskyi is the only one of the aforementioned squad, who still keeps playing for his native club. Serhiy Rebrov is already Dynamo head coach.
Andriy Shevchenko had an outstanding career in AC Milan and Chelsea FC. In 2009 he returned to Dynamo.
In 1999 Oleh Luzhnyi was signed by Arsenal London FC. He made 110 appearances for the Gunners within four seasons.
From 2006 till 2012 he was the White-Blues assistant coach and even became caretaker manager twice. After that he worked as SC Tavria Simferopol head coach.
Dmytro Mykhailenko played in Israel after he left Dynamo. Later he joined FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. Today he is in charge of the reserve team of this club.
Serhiy Bezhenar and Yuriy Dmytrulin work at DynamoAcademy named after Valeriy Lobanovskyi.
Vitaliy Kosovskyi works for Dynamo U-21 alongside Valentyn Belkevych.
Olexandr Holovko finished his career in SC Tavria Simferopol. Today he is Ukraine U-18 coach.
Andriy Husin featured for Dynamo till 2005. After that he performed in Russia.
As he finished his career he worked as FC Saturn Ramenskoe assistant coach. From 2010 till 2013 Husin was Dynamo-2 coach
Yuriy Kalytvyntsev played for Trabzonspor and CSCA Kyiv after he left the White-Blues. Later he was FC Zakarpattia Uzhhorod, Ukraine U-19 and Dynamo-2 coach. In 2009 Ukraine U-19 won the European Championship under the charge of Kalytvyntsev. After that he worked as Ukraine national team head coach and assistant coach.
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