In Sicily's Catania, Mykola Kostenko's protégés began their fight for a spot in the 2023 World Beach Games. The Ukrainian team faced Azerbaijan, which had lost to Switzerland the day before—4:7.

The blue-and-yellow team opened the score already on the third minute through Oleh Zborovskyy's efforts. Despite Mammadov equalizing, Ukraine went into halftime with a minimal lead. Zborovskyy scored another goal.

In the second 12-minute period, Azerbaijan again caught up, but Taras Kovalenko and Yurii Shcheritsya added two more goals—4:2.

The third period was the most intense. When Dmytro Voytenko extended Ukraine's lead to three goals, it seemed the game was won. However, the opponent had other ideas and managed to narrow the gap to a minimum. The final seconds of the match were very tense, but Ukraine held on.

In summary—5:4 in favor of the Ukrainian team, which has thus secured its place in the quarterfinals.

2023 World Beach Games. Men's Qualification. Group C

Ukraine—Azerbaijan—5:4

Goals: Zborovskyy (3, 12), Kovalenko (20), Shcheritsya (20), Voytenko (31)—Mammadov (8), Guseynov (16), Ramil (33), Nazarov (35).

Ukraine: Nerus, Kovalenko, I. Borsuk, A. Borsuk, Koroinychuk, Glutsyk, Voytok, Shcheritsya, Medvid', Voytenko, Zavorotnyi, Pashko, Levchenko, Zborovskyy.

29.08. Switzerland—Azerbaijan—7:4

30.08. Ukraine — Azerbaijan—5:4

31.08. Switzerland—Ukraine. 12:00

Tournament Table

Recall that the fight for five spots in the World Beach Games involves 13 European national teams, divided into four groups.