Yarmolenko and Ukraine take aim at Spain

Having facilitated Ukraine's recovery from a losing start to UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying, Andriy Yarmolenko aims to help the 2012 co-hosts take the next step – against holders Spain in Seville.

Beaten 1-0 at home by current leaders Slovakia in their Group C opener, Ukraine responded positively with victories over Belarus (2-0) and FYR Macedonia (1-0), Yarmolenko supplying an assist in both fixtures. The FC Dynamo Kyiv winger then scored all three goals in November's 3-0 win in Luxembourg, his first international hat-trick – but he still wants more.

"We're satisfied with how we're playing and the results, although I can't say I'm 100% happy because we lost our first game against Slovakia in Kyiv," Yarmolenko, 25, told UEFA.com. "That was a very important match and we should have won it if we really want to push for top spot. But basically we're happy we've won all our games since and there's still an opportunity to correct that mistake.

"I'll repeat that we're not completely happy with our start or the performances. Against Belarus we won late on, the same against Macedonia. We weren't very decisive in those victories because we wasted a lot of chances, which we shouldn't have done."

The unquestioned highlight for forward Yarmolenko has been that treble at the Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg, a moment that gave him particular pleasure. "It was the first hat-trick of my professional career, so it was very important for me and a nice feeling. When you take three chances, you get a real buzz. I enjoyed that. I hope that in future I'll get many more hat-tricks," said the player who has 18 goals for his country from 46 games.

Second-placed Spain are level with Ukraine on nine points in the qualifying chase, and Yarmolenko believes the key will be treating Friday's match – daunting though it may be – like any other. "We prepare in exactly the same way for every opponent," he explained. "We'll dedicate an hour to watching them. It was the same for San Marino, we watched four or five of their games, so for Spain we'll watch even more – definitely not less! We know Spain very well and how difficult it will be against them."

The incentive for Ukraine could scarcely be greater – a place in France next summer – and having had a first taste of the UEFA European Championship three years ago, Yarmolenko and company are eager to seize the opportunity.

"The generation of players has changed a bit. After EURO 2012, players like [Andriy] Shevchenko and [Andriy] Voronin retired – two outstanding talents. The young players who have taken their place haven't experienced these kinds of tournaments, so we all have the desire to get there. We'll give everything to try to reach the finals."