Wales keen for Ukraine friendly

Wales player Gareth Bale and team mates celebrate after the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B Qualifier between Wales and Andorra at Cardiff City stadium on October 13, 2015
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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.

Representatives of teams drawn in group B (L-R) Slovakia's assistant coach Stefan Tarkovic, England's coach Roy Hodgson, Russia's coach Leonid Slutski and Wales' coach Chris Coleman pose with the trophy after the final draw of the UEFA Euro 2016 football
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