From March 22 to 28, 2023, the Ukraine youth national team (players born in or after 2004) will play in the elite round of qualification for the European Championship. According to the results of the draw that took place on December 8, it was determined that the blue and yellow team will face teams from Spain (hosts of the tournament), Denmark, and Luxembourg.

What to expect from our national team in March next year was explained by its head coach Serhiy Nagornyak on the official website of the Ukrainian Football Association.

"We got a normal draw," said the coach. "Although, of course, we drew against Spain, probably the strongest opponent from the second pot. We have our last game with them, so in the direct match we will decide who goes to the European Championship. And there's nothing scary about the games taking place in Spain. During qualification, players of the Ukrainian national team felt that they could play against any opponent regardless of how much their players are worth."

At the same time, no one is planning to underestimate Denmark and Luxembourg. These will be very difficult matches. For example, the Netherlands did not make it into the elite round, but Luxembourg did. The qualification tournament was full of surprises.

It's unlikely that we'll manage to gather in winter since all clubs are preparing for the championship, so our preparation will likely take place just before official matches. But no worries, we'll work with the situation we're in and rely on those players who participated in the qualification round.

UEFA Euro 2023 (U-19). Elite Round Qualification

In the elite round, 28 participants will compete for spots at the final stage, which will take place from July 3 to 16, 2023, in Malta. Seven group winners will qualify.

At this qualification stage in March, 27 teams that passed the first round and Portugal, who received a direct entry to the elite round as leaders of the corresponding age ranking, will participate.

According to the draw results, blue and yellow ended up in Group 3, where they will play against Spain, Denmark, and Luxembourg teams.

Group 1: France, Romania, Norway, Northern Ireland.

Group 2: Germany, Slovenia, Belgium, Italy.

Group 3: Ukraine, Spain, Denmark, Luxembourg.

Group 4: Portugal, Croatia, Czech Republic, Sweden.

Group 5: Ireland, Greece, Estonia, Slovakia.

Group 6: Serbia, Poland, Israel, Latvia.

Group 7: England, Turkey, Iceland, Hungary.