During the draw in Bucharest, Romania on October 18, the Ukrainian youth team learned the names of their opponents at the Euro-2023 (U-21) final tournament. The blue-and-yellow qualified for Group B, where they will face Romania, Spain, and Croatia. Our team will start their journey with a match against Croatia on June 21 next year in Bucharest.

Euro-2023 (U-21) Final Tournament Schedule

As is known, three of the best teams at Euro-2023 will earn spots for the 2024 Olympics (excluding France and England). France has already secured a license as the host country, while England cannot participate in the Games because only members of the IOC—Great Britain—have that right. Thus, 14 out of the 16 forum participants are vying for these spots, including Ukraine.

To determine three more European representatives at the Olympics-2024, there are three options:

1. If France or England reaches the semifinals of Euro-2023 (U-21), then the other three semifinalists will automatically qualify for the Games.

2. If neither France nor England makes it to the top four at Euro-2023 (U-21), a match for third place between the semifinal losers will take place.

3. If both France and England reach the Euro-2023 (U-21) semifinals simultaneously, an additional playoff match for an Olympic spot will be held between the best teams among those who lose in the quarterfinals.

The best teams among the quarterfinal losers will be determined by criteria in this order:

a) better group position at the final tournament;

b) more points in the group stage of the final tournament;

c) better goal difference in the group stage of the final tournament;

d) more goals scored in the group stage of the final tournament;

e) better goal difference in the quarterfinal match (regular time);

f) more goals scored in the quarterfinal match (regular time);

g) disciplinary records;

h) better UEFA ranking position (before the final tournament draw).

A potential additional playoff match for an Olympic spot will take place on July 6 or 8, 2023 in Bucharest. As a reminder, Euro-2023 (U-21) semifinals will be held on July 5 in Batumi and Bucharest, with the final taking place on July 8 in Batumi.

It should also be noted that in the men's football tournament at the Olympics-2024, 16 teams will participate: France, three representatives from Europe, three from Africa, three from Asia, two from South America, two from CONCACAF zones (USA and Dominican Republic), one from Oceania, as well as the winner of a playoff match between the fourth-placed teams in Africa and Asia.