Ukraine, for the last few weeks, have been in need of desperate help, their luck has run out, and they now look like a broken nation...The 'Un-fixable nation' Ukrainians are calling it.

Leaving their politic troubles a side, their bad luck is now seemingly creeping it's way into footballing matters. The economy is starting to crumble, and most club chairmen are currently in very bad positions to be paying player wages. But now the Ukraine national side, is looking in a very bad way. Last night, in a press conference just 3 weeks before the friendly against Paraguay...Manager Mykhaylo Fomenko revealed he will be leaving is post, immediately.

We managed to get a seat in the conference room, but unfortunately couldn't get a word in. We have however translated a few questions and answers for you to get the full idea of what's going on.
When asked the question; "So, can you shed any light on the full reason you are leaving?" He answered with:

Ukrainian; Слухай, я в даний час перебуваю дуже турбує становище і стабільності нашої країни. Я відчуваю, що я повинен покинути якомога швидше, так як я не вірю, отримувати розсерджені це допомагає моєму здоров'ю.

Я старію зараз, я повинен думати про свою сім'ю і особистого життя ... Але, на жаль, я не можу цього зробити при управлінні національної збірної з футболу. Мені дуже шкода, шанувальники України ... Але заради мене, будь ласка, зрозуміти.

English; Listen, I am currently very worried about the position and stability of our country. I am feel like I must leave as soon as possible, as I don't belive getting worked up about this is helping my health.

I am getting old now, I must think about my family and personal life...But sadly I cannot do that while managing a national football team. I am very sorry, fans of Ukraine...But for my sake please do understand.

Fomenko, does leave at a bad time for Ukraine, and many people are speculating on the future of the national side, and Ukrainian football in general. Who will take the reigns? Well, who would want to? Stay with us for more news.

Earlier last week, Mykhaylo Fomenko former Ukraine manager, revealed he would be handing in his resignation letter, and retiring from management, for good.
Well, surprisingly the UFA have stunned everyone by bringing in probably the most unexpected person for the role of head coach.

Romanian legend, Gheorghe Hagi was handed a contract offer last night, and without even blinking, he accepted. Many fans will be left shocked by the appointment, although no one else more than the Ukraine fans.

Hagi, has got a lot of experience in football, he has played at the highest level, for the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. He played for his country 125 times, representing Romania at the 1994 and 1998 World cup before participating in the 2000 European Championship before going on to retire as a player a month after the tournament was over. he scored 35 goals which included no doubt some of the best goals ever scored by a footballer.

A year after his retirement, he was named manager of the 2001 Romanian team, but after failing to qualify for the World cup, he was sacked.He has managed 4 club teams which include: Bursaspor, Galatasaray (x2), Steaua Bucarest, and Polhitenica Timisoara. He has only won major honour to his name as a manager, which was the Turkish cup in his first spell at Galatasaray.

So, no doubt a brilliant player...Not so much a manager, but everyone will be eager to see what heights he can take Ukraine to, if any. Stay tuned, he will be answering his first questions as Ukraine manager in 2 weeks time, just before his first game against Paraguay.

Nice start! Looking forward to see how Hagi does!

Two weeks after the appointment of Gheorghe Hagi, he will now appear in live in the press imminently, ahead of his first game against Paraguay. The game will see him take a second nation out on to the pitch, and it will also give the fans an idea of his quality.
So we go live now...To Ukraine.

Reporter: Hello, Mr. Hagi! How are you?

Hagi: Fine, thanks for asking.

Reporter:So, Gheorghe straight to it! You were never deemed a favorite for the job by the press, or in fact a candidate for that matter. Were you surprised when Ukraine came calling?

Hagi: Well, yes of course. I am not exactly the greatest manager around, I mean...We are all honest men here. Jobs in the past haven't gone so great, so yes I was surprised at them asking me to take the reigns...But I have confidence in my ability, and I believe I can take Ukraine forward.

Reporter: Ok, well...Given Ukraine's current state, shall we say (out of football) could the nations troubles affect the players?

Hagi: Well, that is always a possibility but it's my job to make sure the lads are happy and well, if someone is in a bad position or is feeling down, he can of course come and speak to me and we can sort it but what the lads have to focus on is their football, and they will be just fine.

Reporter: Also, as you said we are all honest men, and I don't think I am the first to say that Ukraine haven't got exactly the greatest youth system, nor do they any great talents at the moment! So my question is, how do you think you can take this nation forward?

Hagi: Well, that is certainly something we have to address of course! But every country has their great talents so what I want to do is get the FA to implement more facilities for younger lads to realize their potential. I will also be talking to clubs' chairmen & managers about different ways we can improve our players, and I will of course be requesting investment to facilities definitely! But of course at the end of the day I have to accept if chairmen don't wish to do that.

Reporter: And what are you hoping to achieve at next years world cup? If you get there of course!

Hagi: Well, I am not expecting to win anything if that is what you're asking? For that we'd need a miracle. No, I want to get there and obviously compete, and do well but it'll take a few years before we are close to winning tournaments. First we must gain stability through friendlies and the remaining qualifier games, then we need to prove we aren't a push over at the world cup (If we get there) and then the next step is to, well...Get some young talent into the side and kick on from there. It's going to be very hard but we can do it!

Reporter: Last question, how do you think you'll perform in your next match against Paraguay?

Hagi: Well, it'll be a tough match but I am hoping for a solid win! I am not expecting any pushovers as our tactics will be much better but we will definitely be up for any fight!

Reporter: Ok, well cheers Hagi! Lets hope for a long succesfull career with Ukraine!

Hagi: Aye! Lets hope so

Nice start! Good luck

Good luck ! Hagi A good choice

It's going to be a very difficult transition for Ukraine, in the next year. With a new Romanian manager at the helm, and the actual country starting to collapse, it'll be hard for the players to find any sort of motivation going forward, however Ukraine left winger Andriy Yarmolenko believes that the position they are in is the complete opposite.

Yarmolenko: We will in no shape or form, find it hard to get motivated. You people in the media have it all wrong! We are playing for our country, what more could we ask for? We will be giving our all in the game against Paraguay, and in every other game no matter what the occasion. We want to be at the World Cup next year so we will be.

Strong opinion, from a quality footballer.
Now, let's see Hagi's squad selection...

Goalkeepers

Andriy Pyatov
Maxim Koval

Defenders

Artem Fadetskyi
Eugene Khacheridi
Yaroslav Rakitskyi
Taras Mykhalyk
Dymtro Chygryskyi

Midfielders

Ruslan Rotan
Vyacheslav Shevchuk
Sergiy Sydorchuk
Andriy Yarmolenko
Roman Bezus
Eugene Konoplyanka
Edmar
Mykola Morozyuk
Oleg Gusev
Ruslan Babenko

Forwards

Marko Devic
Roman Zozulya
Sergiy Rybalka

Our first match against Paraguay, was looking to be a great game. Two fairly even sides in a contest to win. And the only thing for the players to lose in this game was a place in the squad, so each player would be giving it their all.
I was looking forward to this game, and I couldn't wait to get the players out on to the pitch.

The game kicked off, and the fans were roaring and singing in different bursts between the two sets of supporters. We started the game well, and were keeping some good early possession, two slick passes from midfielder Rotan and attacking play maker Bezus saw Konoplyanka able to break free of his marker, running onto the ball with a burst of pace, he stuttered in the box a little, and touched the ball to his right where he'd given himself just enough space to strike the ball. He fired at the bottom right corner but the keeper was there with a fine save...What a start we had made though.
Bezus, stepped up to take the corner, whipping it in with power. A Paraguayan had gotten there first but his header was only enough to put the ball in front of our striker Devid who pounced on it, tapping it past the keeper. 4 minutes in and we were 1-0 up! A fine start!

A strong start to the game, saw us a little to confident. A minute later Barreto received the ball in the middle of the park before making a long pass to Valdez, who touched the ball past
our defender Rakitskyi. The ball made it's way to one of the most clinical strikers on the field, Cardozo. He slid the ball past our keeper and suddenly, our good start was over and we were back level.

15 minutes later, the score was put back right where it should be. Ukraine had a throw in, in the final third, Shevchuk took it and played a quick 1-2 with Rotan. Shevchuk then whipped the ball in right to the head of Devic who directed it into the near top corner. We were back in the lead and were looking good.

The next goal came 5 minutes from half time and was truly bizarre! Shevchuk added to his assist earlier by some how crossing the ball, but actually slicing it and lobbing the keeper! The ball ended up in the bottom corner behind the Paraguayan keeper, it was such a good goal, but no doubt extremely flukey.

Bezus, now was the second to add to an assist. Our young striker Zozulya took the ball and ran past two opponents, then curling the ball round another to reach Bezus! Bezus, stuttered and then struck the ball with all his power almost ripping the net...
4-1 was now the score! How many more could we get?

Well, just the one more goal. But this goal was an absolute ripper! Yarmolenko found himself struggling inside the box, but with on quick look he managed to turn and knock the ball away from the pressuring defenders, toward the direction of substitute Bablenko. Bablenko watched as the ball roll pas him onto his right side and with one venomous kick, he thundered it over the top of the keeper clipping the bar on it's way in. A 21 year old making his debut for Ukraine had just scored that goal...Unbelievable! Could this day get any better?

looking strong on the first match. well done mate!

I recognized the names of a full 7 of your players! Woo!

Therovers: Yeah, was a great start. Cheers mate!

Neal: Experience from your time as Italy manager? Well...You must have played Ukraine a lot to remember 7!

Yesterday night, we a long with many football fans witnessed a 5-1 thrashing from Ukraine over Paraguay. Marko Devic scored the first goal of the game and the third which gave Ukraine their second lead in the game. Left back Shevchuk also pitched in with a lucky goal from distance, before Bezus struck a shot from inside the box to give Ukraine a fourth goal. The game was rounded off right at the depth with a powerful effort from debutant Babenko, who shot and dipped the ball over the keeper to collect his first goal for the national side.

However, this is apparently going to be the first of many great games for Ukraine, according to skipper Roslan Rotan. This morning he told us how he was looking forward to more results like this, and a long and successful time with new manager Gheorghe Hagi.

"I am really looking forward to working with Hagi, he is a nice bloke and gives you confidence.Especially the younger ones...And as you can see his confidence definitely rubbed off on Babenko. From what I have seen so far he is a great manager, and Ukraine fans shouldn't be worried. He can take us forward."

The skipper also went on to say how they would still be needing key players to perform in every game, and how they (all) must improve as a team.

"Despite a good win, in fact a great win...We must not get complacent. We must stay focused and work hard to get through to the World Cup. Key players such as Yarmolenko, Kono and me must perform every game as well if we are to move forward, we must help the younger ones blend with the squad and work with us as a team. Our youth system also needs to improve, it isn't the best,we all know that, but I am sure we can sort it!
Exciting times are ahead for Ukraine."

Yes, Ukraines youth system definitely must improve if they are to build and progress, but the question is...Can Hagi do it? Well, we asked on twitter the very same question...And here is how you responded.

Yes: 53%
No: 47%

Well, the majority think yes, and I here am also quite confident he can! Ukraine's next match comes against Moldova in exactly one month, they will also be playing San Marino just a few days later. Stay tuned.

So after a comfortable win against Paraguay, Ukraine fans all around would be pumped and fired up for their next two games. Of course not the hardest games going, as Moldova and San Marino will undoubtedly be complete push overs as usually, although...No offence to them of course.

Ukraine will of course be looking to Hagi to get his players really buzzing for these next two games, as there can be no room for mistake if they want to beat England and give it a go for 1st place in the final game! So, who has Gheorghe picked for his next two games in charge?

Goalkeepers

Andriy Pyatov
Maxim Koval
Andriy Dykan

Defenders

Eduard Sobol
Artem Fadetskyi
Eugene Khacheridi
Yaroslav Rakitskyi
Taras Mykhalyk
Dymtro Chygryskyi

Midfielders

Antoliy Tymoschuk
Ruslan Rotan
Dmytro Grechyshkin
Vyacheslav Shevchuk
Sergiy Sydorchuk
Andriy Yarmolenko
Roman Bezus
Eugene Konoplyanka
Edmar
Mykola Morozyuk
Oleg Gusev
Ruslan Babenko

Forwards

Marko Devic
Roman Zozulya
Sergiy Rybalka

As requested:




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Niko: ...Wow! xD