Ukraine suffered a heart-breaking exit from Euro 2024 but are leaving with their heads held high and amid big support from their war-torn nation.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky was among the first to salute the team after a 0-0 draw with Belgium was not quite good enough.
"A strong nation is one that remains united and supports each other at all times. In times of defeat and in times of victory," Zelensky said on Telegram.
"Today we thank the Ukrainian national football team. Despite the disappointing result, you fought for our country.
"Our great victories are ahead! Victories for Ukraine. In the meantime, let's keep up the fight, get up to move on and become stronger in the future!"
First match was the key
Ukraine were eliminated in Group E in which all four teams finished locked on four points, which is unprecedented at the Euros. They are also the first team to be eliminated with four points in the current event format.
The team ultimately paid the price for a heavy 3-0 defeat against Romania in their first match.
They rebounded strongly with a 2-1 victory against Slovakia, and almost got the required win against Belgium from an almost directly converted corner kick from Ruslan Malinvoskyi with 10 minutes left and a stoppage-time effort from Georgiy Sudakov.
Coach praises team
"Unfortunately, we did not qualify because of the first game," coach Serhiy Rebrov said.
"I'm grateful for how the players responded against Slovakia. We showed that we were trying to win this game, and there were enough good moments.
"I thanked the players for the game and told them that, unfortunately, we did not proceed due to the defeat against Romania. But we have a very young national team, and they are optimistic about the future."
Playing for the whole country
The situation at home under the Russian invasion since February 2022 is never far away. Players and officials stressed on many occasions that they are playing for their homeland.
Fans on Wednesday unfurled a huge banner commemorating a football fan who they say died in the war last month with a picture of him put together from photos of 182 other killed Ukrainian soldiers.
"We gave our all for our country. We let them down, and I feel deeply sorry," defender Oleksandr Tymchyk told Euro2024.com.
"I'm proud to be Ukrainian. There's no shame in our performance. Our failure to advance from the group stemmed from our first match."
Ukraine aim to come back stronger
Rebrov said: "To be in the tournament is very important for our country. In the last two games, we showed the character of our nation.
"But this is life, you make some mistakes, but then it’s important how you react. I’m very proud of the players. Of course, everyone is unhappy with the result, but there are no questions for the players."