The head coach of Ukraine's under-19 futsal team, Vitaliy Odegov, spoke to the press service of the Ukrainian Futsal Association about how the team is preparing for its participation in the Euro 2022 finals.

"Vitaliy Oleksiyovych, the gathering in Uzhhorod is coming to an end. How has this period of preparation been for the national team?"

We started with training sessions. At the end of last week, we played two friendly matches against "Energiya". Now we are training in a double session mode. On September 1st, the team will travel to Spain.

"Tell us about the matches against 'Energiya'. Lviv's club is already considered a traditional sparring partner for Ukraine's youth national team..."

In Uzhhorod, where our team was holding its camp, there are no professional teams to play friendly matches with. So we have to thank the Lviv "Energiya" club for agreeing to help us again. During the matches, we asked the Lviv players to conduct the game in a certain style and tried to simulate on the court actions against future opponents. This helps achieve a higher level of tactical preparation. These sparring matches are primarily beneficial for our team.

"What was the result of these matches?"

The outcome of the matches was one draw and one victory for Ukraine's youth national team.

"Some players from the team participated in the Cup of the Unconquered (West). Did you follow their actions?"

Yes, of course. The most important thing is that the boys got game practice. This allows them to improve psychological aspects, technical-tactical skills, and, of course, add physical training. Each match is a new valuable experience since there's still no official game practice yet. It’s impossible to reach the necessary level for official matches just through training alone. The Cup of the Unconquered was another opportunity for players to achieve the required playing tone. So I am grateful to the coaches who trust young players and also to the tournament organizers.

"The first match in the Euro 2022 finals will be against Croatia. Is all of your preparation aimed at this opponent?"

No, we are preparing not only for this opponent. We alternately complete different tasks. We try to simulate various situations that may occur during matches with different opponents. As for theoretical sessions, they are indeed mostly focused on preparing for the match against Croatia.

"How would you characterize this team?"

We played against a Croatian team at last year's European Championship and also faced them twice last year during the Futsal Week tournament. Traditionally for Balkan countries, Croatians are quite a strong team with tall players. However, the opponent combines athleticism with technique. It’s worth mentioning that matches in our national team against Croatia have always been challenging. Overall, these are quite technical boys who play a lot through "pillars". Also, I would note that thanks to their size, Croatian futsalists often use high pressing.

"What tasks does the team face at Euro?"

In our national team, there are only boys with ambitions. Players feel responsible. Over these almost three years, we have played against a large number of teams. So everyone roughly understands their level and the possibilities of opponents. At Euro, everyone wants to win as many matches as possible! However, this is sports. Teams go to Spain not just to become participants in the European Championship finals. We will do everything within our power to reach as far as we can.

Ukraine's Under-19 Futsal Team Roster

Goalkeepers: Mykola Khomia, Mykola Huiwan (both — "Hurricane"), Dmytro Dyachenko ("Cardinal-Rivnestandart").

Field Players: Rostyslav Semenchenko (CLUST), Sava Lutai (AZS UV, Poland), Yaroslav Kvasniy ("Energiya"), Dmytro Skychyk, Maxim Malynovskiy (both — "Cardinal-Rivnestandart"), Vladyslav Syzik ("Lyubart"), Oleksandr Dytsuk, Andriy Britan, Andriy Tkachuk (all — "Hurricane"), David Kalashnik, Oleksandr Smytanenko (both — without a club).

Recall that the host of this tournament in Spain included seven winners of the main round. Eight participants were divided into two groups of four teams each, with the top two from each advancing to the semifinals.

Ukraine's youth national team qualified for Group A, where they will play against Spain, Croatia, and Romania. Matches of the final tournament will take place in Huelva, Spain at "Olivo Arena" from September 4 to 10.

Euro 2022 (U-19) Futsal Final Tournament

Group A: Spain, Ukraine, Croatia, Romania.

Group B: Poland, France, Italy, Portugal.

Schedule for Group A

04.09.2022

Ukraine — Croatia (14.30)

Spain — Romania (22.00)

05.09.2022

Romania — Ukraine (17.00)

Croatia — Spain (22.00)

07.09.2022

Croatia — Romania (14.30)

Spain — Ukraine (22.00)

08.09.2022

Semifinal 1 (19.00)

Semifinal 2 (22.00)

10.09.2022

Final (20.00)

The match times are given in Kyiv time.

Recall that Ukraine's youth national team qualified for Euro 2022 (U-19) by overcoming Andorra (10:2), Belgium (11:0), and Moldova (5:0) in the main round group stage in Chisinau, Moldova.

Euro 2022 (U-19) Futsal Main Round Qualification. Group 6

07.07.2022

Ukraine — Andorra — 10:2

Belgium — Moldova — 6:0

08.07.2022

Moldova — Andorra — 4:5 

Belgium — Ukraine — 0:11

10.07.2022

Andorra — Belgium — 2:3

Moldova — Ukraine — 0:5

Final Standings

It should be noted that at the first-ever Euro for youth futsal, which took place in 2019, Ukraine's national team qualified for the final tournament where they secured third place in their group. The Spanish team was crowned champion.