GERMANY – Frank Scheunert (Hedge Fund Manager, Dubai)
Germany go into the tournament as world champions but our preparation for the tournament has been mediocre at best. It has to be said, though, that our build-up to the 2014 World Cup also wasn’t that great – and we all know what happened there!
Losing 3-1 Slovakia was a little alarming but Germany always seem to have a habit of improving as tournaments progress. Facing Ukraine in the opening game should offer a good chance of getting all three points and starting with confidence.
Let's gooooo #DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/uQA8mdVjmf
— André Schürrle (@Andre_Schuerrle) June 11, 2016
It’s such a shame that Marco Reus misses out again due to injury but Germany have ample replacements – we really do have some great players in midfield. We sit 15 places above Ukraine in the FIFA World Rankings and I fully expect Germany to demonstrate that difference.
PREDICTION: Germany 2-1 Ukraine
LIKELY GERMANY XI: Neuer; Howedes, Boateng, Rudiger, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Muller, Ozil, Draxler; Gotze.
GERMANY PLAYER TO WATCH: Thomas Muller. The Bayern Munich forward is a wonderful talent and a brilliant goalscorer. He’s tended to score more at the World Cup than the European Championship but he is the sort of player that every team craves at a major championship – a scorer of important goals.
UKRAINE PLAYER TO FEAR: Yevhen Konoplyanka – The Sevilla left-winger has plenty of experience now at the highest level and comes into the tournament off the back of an impressive season with the Europa League winners.
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Media One Hotel.
UKRAINE – Yevheniy Semenov (IT Developer, Abu Dhabi)
Ukraine are coming into the first match of Euro 2016 on the back of a good run of form after winning our last four matches and being unbeaten in our last six. Two defeats against Spain during the qualifying phase remain as our only losses in the past 18 matches.
Our manager Mykhailo Fomenko has no injuries or fitness concerns ahead of the match and is expected to field his strongest XI. The main dilemma will be about midfielders’ selection – as we have nine candidates for three positions.
According to Ukrainian media, the atmosphere in the team is very positive and our guys are ready to do battle with the world champions.
PREDICTION: Ukraine 1-1 Germany
LIKELY UKRAINE XI: Pyatov, Fedetskiy, Khacheridi, Rakitskiy, Chevtchuk, Rotan, Stepanenko, Kovalenko, Yarmolenko, Konoplyanka, Zozulya
UKRAINE PLAYER TO WATCH: Andriy Yarmolenko. Our key man was Ukraine’s top scorer in qualifying – his scorching pace and immense dribbling prowess could make him one of the best players of Euro 2016.
GERMANY PLAYER TO FEAR: Thomas Muller. The one-club man is an absolute role model for Germany and Bayern. He is dangerous in the air, on the ground – everywhere basically!
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Blu Sky Lounge & Grill at Southern Sun Abu Dhabi will be the host venue for the Ukrainian Community to watch the game. Everyone is welcome to join and support our team.
