Ukraine’s national team is finishing preparations for a key 2026 World Cup qualifying match against France. The game will take place on 13 November at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Among the players called up by Serhii Rebrov are three goalkeepers: Anatoliy Trubin, Dmytro Riznyk and Yevhen Volynets.
Riznyk and Volynets are training with Brave GK gloves. Dmytro Riznyk has chosen the Brave GK Diamond Pink model, designed for official matches and cold weather. Yevhen Volynets trains in the Brave GK Fury Pro — a versatile model adapted to any conditions and dynamic sessions.
Preparation is in an intensive mode: the team gathered on 10 November in Paris, where they are holding their final sessions before facing the French. On the eve of the game, 12 November, Serhii Rebrov’s pre-match press conference and an evening training session on the Parc des Princes pitch are scheduled.
Dmytro Riznyk and Yevhen Volynets train under goalkeeping coach Rustam Khudzhamov. The keepers perform a wide range of drills aimed at reaction speed, stability, and control under pressure.
The morning sessions focus on short match-like situations — parrying close-range shots, work on the goal line, and quick passing after winning the ball. Balls of different weights and flight paths are used to replicate France’s typical attacks with powerful crosses and one-touch finishes.
The second part of training concentrates on penalty-area work: hurdle jumps, reactions to deflections, and dealing with crosses and corners. The goalkeepers practice claiming the ball in tight defensive setups, as well as positional distribution during set pieces — an element that will be especially important against the tall French forwards.
A separate block is devoted to play with the feet — an aspect where the coaching staff demand stability and accuracy. Each goalkeeper makes dozens of pressured passes and long clearances into wide areas, modelling scenarios for playing out of a press.
Volynets, known for his agility and quick first step, focuses on short saves and sharp lateral movements. Riznyk — more powerful and consistent when coming off his line — works on interceptions and long, field-switching passes. This approach allows the coaches to adapt the game plan to different scenarios and opponents.
In the training sessions before the match against France, both of Ukraine’s goalkeepers are using Brave GK gloves. Both models are built for professional keepers and engineered to perform under heavy workloads.
The Brave GK Diamond Pink used by Dmytro Riznyk are designed specifically for matches and intensive sessions. The palm is made of 4 mm German Supreme Contact latex, providing reliable grip even in wet weather. A cushioning foam lining softens shots, while the Rollfinger cut increases the contact area. The lightweight yet durable backhand protects the hand when punching, and the anatomical fit with the Fix Fit system keeps the hand secure without slipping inside the glove.
The Brave GK Fury Pro chosen by Yevhen Volynets stand out for their versatility and reliability in any weather conditions. The palm uses German Supreme Contact latex with an additional foam layer to enhance control when catching the ball. The backhand combines two types of latex with breathable mesh inserts for ventilation and lightness. A reinforced punching zone with 3D elements helps when coming for crosses. An elastic cuff and wide strap ensure stable wrist fixation, which is especially important when dealing with powerful shots.
Both Brave GK models withstand any workload — from cold, rainy training sessions to matches in high humidity.
The game against France will be one of Ukraine’s key fixtures in the 2026 World Cup qualifying. The match will take place tomorrow, 13 November, at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The opponent is the reigning World Cup runner-up, a team with powerful attacking potential and deep rotation.
Ukraine come into the match against France sitting second in Group D. After four rounds, Serhii Rebrov’s team have 7 points — two wins, one draw and one defeat, with a goal difference of 8:7. France lead with 10 points, followed by Iceland (4) and Azerbaijan (1). Therefore, the upcoming clash in Paris is decisive: a win would allow Ukraine to draw level on points with the leaders and strengthen their position in the race for direct World Cup qualification.
After the game in Paris, the team will head to Warsaw to face Iceland. That fixture could be no less important for the group standings. Victories in the next two matches would put Ukraine on top and bring the long-awaited return to the World Cup closer.
