The head coach of Ukraine's U-17 national team, Yuriy Moroz, commented on the draw results for the elite round of Euro 2023 qualification.

From March 7 to 13, 2023, Ukraine's youth national team (players born in 2006 or later) will participate in the elite round of the European Championship qualifier. The draw revealed that the blue and yellow team will face teams from Italy, Cyprus (the tournament hosts), and Ireland.

To sum up the year that has passed and share thoughts on future opponents in the elite round, the official website of the Ukrainian Football Association asked the head coach of Ukraine's U-17 national team, Yuriy Moroz.

"The past year, in my opinion, was positive for our team," said Yuriy Moroz. "The task set before the team has been fulfilled: we made it to the elite round of Euro and remain in contention for a place in the final stage of the European Championship. I am happy for my players who tried to meet all the demands of the coaching staff. I would like to thank the leadership of the UAF, which did everything so that our work could be conducted at the highest level."

As for the draw, Italy is the favorite in our group because it is a football country. Cyprus and Ireland are not as authoritative by name, but I am sure they are formidable teams capable of springing surprises. At this stage of competition, opponents are roughly equal; a bit of luck—and anyone can secure first or second place. We need to prepare for each match as if it were the final.

Preparation plan? It has not been finalized yet. Perhaps we will manage to hold one (selection) training camp in February, since I would like to expand the pool of candidates and see boys playing abroad, and another—right before the elite round. However, it doesn't make sense to speculate so far ahead given the realities we live in.

Euro 2023 (U-17). Elite Round Qualifier

Thirty-two teams were divided into eight groups, matches of which will take place in March. At stake are 15 spots for the final stage, games of which will be held from May 17 to June 2, 2023, in Hungary. The eight group winners and seven runners-up with the best results advance to the finals. The host country also joins them.

Group 1: Serbia, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus.

Group 2: Montenegro, Wales, Scotland, Iceland.

Group 3: Netherlands, England, Denmark, Northern Ireland.

Group 4: Spain, Germany, Turkey, Finland.

Group 5: Portugal, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia.

Group 6: Italy, Ukraine, Cyprus, Ireland.

Group 7: Belgium, Norway, Croatia, Slovenia.

Group 8: France, Switzerland, Latvia, Albania.

We remind you that in the qualifying round of Euro 2023 (U-17), Ukraine's youth national team under Yuriy Moroz's leadership secured first place in their group, ahead of teams from Azerbaijan (5:2), Liechtenstein (7:0) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (1:1).