Euro 2016

Wales keen for Ukraine friendly

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 20 December 2015

The Welsh FA is attempting to organise a friendly match with Ukraine as they prepare to take on Russia in the European Championships.

Wales are attempting to arrange a friendly match with Ukraine ahead of next summer's European Championships as they prepare for a Group B showdown with Russia.

According to BBC Radio Wales, the Welsh FA has begun discussions with its Ukrainian counterparts about holding the game in Kiev during the March international break.

"We're hoping that will be one of the [friendly] games," Wales assistant manager Osian Roberts said. "It's quite obvious to see the similarities with Russia so we're trying to mirror the games in the tournament with the preparation games."

The international schedule allows for two friendly games in March, plus a further one at the end of the May once the domestic season is finished, ahead of the Championships in France in June.

"It's important that the friendly games are a useful exercise for us in preparation for the summer," Roberts added. "Ukraine would be a perfect preparation game for us, no doubt about that."

England and Slovakia round out Wales's group opposition at the tournament.