Joy, heartache in Euro playoffs

It was heartbreak in Wales but joy for Ukraine as the Euro 2024 men’s football playoffs reached a thrilling conclusion.

Wales lost a penalty shootout, 5-4, to Robert Lewandowski’s Poland in Cardiff after a scoreless stalemate over 120 minutes yesterday.

It was the second shootout decider of the day, with Georgia prevailing 4-2 over 2004 Euro champions Greece to make a major tournament finals for the first time.

Ukraine qualified for their first major tournament since the war with Russia began in 2022.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk became the toast of Ukraine with the match-winner in a 2-1 victory over Iceland in Wroclaw, Poland. Iceland went ahead in the 30th minute when Genoa forward Albert Gudmundsson lashed a left-footed strike past the Ukraine keeper.

But Viktor Tsygankov, who plays in Italy for Genoa, equalised early in the second half with a superbly placed shot to the bottom corner after receiving a pinpoint pass from Georgiy Sudakov.

There were howls of delight from Ukrainian fans in the Wroclaw stadium and at home when Mudryk found the net in the 84th minute.

The well-wishers included Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who posted a social message to show his delight. “Thank you, guys! Thank you, team! For significant emotions for the entire country. For the important victory and making it to EURO. For proving once again: whenever Ukrainians face difficulties but do not give up and continue to fight, Ukrainians certainly win.’’

Wales manager Rob Page lamented that football was “a cruel game’’ after his side crashed out in a penalty-shootout decider in Cardiff.

Poland converted their fifth spotkick to lead 5-4 and put pressure on Wales’ fifth taker, Daniel James. The Leeds United forward did not hit his shot crisply and Poland’s former Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny made a comfortable save.

“It’s a cruel game, that’s what I’ve said to the players, one kick away from qualifying. It hurts,’’ Page said.

Georgia – ranked 77th in the world – qualified for their first major tournament at their 19th attempt with their penaltyshootout win over Greece in Tbilisi.

There were no real chances in regulation time, but Konstantinos Mavropanos hit the crossbar with a header for Greece in extra time and Georgia’s Zuriko Davitashvili had his low shot saved.

Georgia substitute Nika Kvekveskiri tucked home the decisive penalty for a 4-2 win.