If NFL Franchises were EURO 2020 Teams: Part 4
By Tadhg Flynn
3. Ukraine – NFL Franchise Comparison: Miami Dolphins
Next game: vs. Sweden, Tuesday, June 29
Of the teams remaining at EURO 2020, Ukraine are amongst the worst-performing countries. Of their three games so far, they have lost two. They narrowly won their third game by just a single goal, against the weakest country in the competition (North Macedonia). They should feel lucky to be in the next round, but that kind of luck may be what generates momentum for the team.
Ukraine is a classic Eastern European football nation, which means that their style is gritty and tough. They may have some flair players, but predominantly their focus will be on making hard tackles and being difficult to break down.
The two best players on the team play in the Premier League, Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko and West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko. Both men are at the heart of everything that Ukraine creates. Alas, it is unlikely that Ukraine can go all the way and win EURO 2020 outright. They just don’t have the squad depth of talent required.
The Miami Dolphins are similarly placed within the NFL. For years now, the Dolphins have been amongst the lower rung of talent in the NFL. They have built a solid defensive unit over the past four years, and right now they do not look far away from competing for the AFC East title. Still, they would require some definite luck to win the Super Bowl outright.
If Ukraine keeps opponents out and rides their luck through the rest of the tournament, they might find a way to overcome better opposition. Miami fans should get on the bandwagon and push for a fellow underdog to come out on top.