Today at the «Pod Dubnjom» stadium in Jileň, Ukraine's youth national team played an away match in the Euro-2023 (U-21) qualification playoff against Slovakia.

This year, the homegrown «youth squad» has a chance for the third time in history to qualify for the European Championship. By securing second place in their group, the players coached by Ruslan Rotan are competing with Slovakia for a spot at the continental tournament. It's worth noting that Ukraine's national team previously participated in the playoff qualification for the Euro four times — twice they advanced and twice they were eliminated.

The first match took place in Jileň, Slovakia. At the beginning of the encounter, Soslov and Vana exchanged shots at goal. Then Batagov fouled inside his own penalty area, giving the hosts a penalty kick. Trubin, who played for the national team just two days ago, saved the penalty from Soslov but failed to stop the subsequent shot by a Slovak player.

Photo futbalsfz.sk

However, at the 17th minute, the blue-and-yellow team equalized — Sudakov scored from a penalty kick, and Vjunnik was first to the rebound. Later, Ukraine had more chances to score, including Belko's shot following shots by Mykhaylenko and Kryskiv. Shortly after, the ball did end up in Slovakia's net, but the referee disallowed the goal for offside by Vana. Before halftime, Sudakov and Soslov exchanged shots at goal.

The second half began with three goals. First, Strelec outmaneuvered Syrota, entered the penalty area, and scored after a deflection off Vivcharenko. In response, Ukraine equalized through a combination play by Sudakov — Bondarenko — Kryskiv. However, at the 53rd minute, Strelec completed his brace with a bank shot from inside the penalty area.

This time, our team could not equalize again, although there were opportunities, such as Sudakov's long-range attempt and Sykan failing to hit the far corner after an Ocheretko cross. In added time, Slovakia's goalkeeper saved a shot by Sykan. Ultimately, Ruslan Rotan's wards conceded — 2:3.

The nominal home match will be played on September 27 in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz at Municipal Stadium (kickoff at 18:30 Kyiv time).

Euro-2023 (U-21). Qualifying round. Play-off. First matches

Slovakia — Ukraine — 3:2 (1:1)

Goals: Soslov (10), Strelec (46, 53) — Vjunnik (17), Kryskiv (49).

On the 10th minute, Soslov (S) missed a penalty kick (goalkeeper).

Slovakia: Belko, Mesik, Obert (Vojtek, 84), Nemchik, Dyatko, Kadak (Nebila, 90+1), Pokorny (c), Lavrynchik, Soslov (Galczik, 90+1), Strelec (Trusa, 72), Kapralik (Golyan, 84).

Substitutes: Ludga, Sulja, Mislovich, Bakala.

Coach: Jaroslav Kentoš.

Ukraine: Trubin, Syts, Batagov (Taloyevor, 60), Syrota, Vivcharenko, Mykhaylenko (Nazarenko, 60), Bondarenko (c), Kryskiv (Kukharevych, 86), Sudakov, Vana (Sykan, 71), Vjunnik (Ocheretko, 71).

Substitutes: Fesyun, Zhelizko, Drambaev, Brajko.

Coach: Ruslan Rotan.

Referee: Allard Lindhaut (Netherlands).

Yellow cards: Soslov (55), Kapralik (80), Trusa (90+2) — Vivcharenko (72), Syrota (83), Ocheretko (90).

September 23. Jileň. «Pod Dubnjom» stadium.

Croatia — Denmark — 2:1 (2:0)

Iceland — Czech Republic — 1:2 (1:1)

Ireland — Israel — 1:1 (0:1)

Final tournament: june/july 2023.

Participants of the final tournament: Romania, Georgia, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, four playoff winners.

Matches of the 16-team tournament will be held on four stadiums in Romania (two — in Cluj-Napoca and two — in Bucharest) and four in Georgia (in Batumi, Poti and two — in Tbilisi). The opening match will take place in Romania, while the final will be held in Georgia.