As part of the preparation for the main round of Euro-2023 (U-19), Ukraine's youth futsal team will play against their Hungarian counterparts. Two friendly matches are scheduled to take place on February 15–16 in Debrecen at the "Phoenix Arena." By the way, this is where the final tournament of the European Championship for women’s futsal will be held in March.

The comments from the head coach of the blue-and-yellow team Igor Moskvichov regarding upcoming friendlies are provided by the press service of the Ukrainian Futsal Association.

"— Mr. Moskvichov, your team has already conducted two training sessions in Debrecen at the 'Phoenix Arena.' What impressions do you have from the venue where your team will play soon and where a month later the final four of Euro-2023 for women will take place?"

"— The conditions are simply great. Yesterday, I told the boys that we need to qualify for the main round of Euro-2023 so that in the future we can play more often in such venues. This is a certain motivation to do everything within our power and come out on this beautiful court. Everything is at a high level. It remains for the boys to demonstrate their best qualities in upcoming matches."

"— Two months ago, your team played against Hungary at a tournament in the Czech Republic. How interesting will it be to meet them again?"

"— I think it will be somewhat harder because Hungary will play at home. This is an additional motivation for them. However, we are ready. The harder it gets, the better. The Ukrainian youth team needs strong sparring matches, so we expect interesting games. Our task is to play our futsal, add in experience, work on set plays and form combinations in fours."

"— In January, your team played three friendly matches in Croatia. How would you summarize this stage of preparation for official matches?"

"— I am pleased that we played against strong national teams — France, Italy, and Slovenia. The coaching staff had the task to determine the squad that will continue preparing for Euro. This tournament showed who we can rely on, especially in confrontations with high-level teams."

"— Recently, the last opponent of our team in the group stage was determined. It is Montenegro's national team. What can you say about this team?"

"— We have only managed to analyze Serbia and Romania so far. I think after we play against Hungary, we will address this question."

"— How important is the return of Dachenko, Skychyk, and Malynovskyi to the national team squad considering their regular practice in Vbet Extra League?

"— I would also note the experience from the previous European Championship. They are leaders who guide the team both on and off the court. Their appearance now is necessary. It's clear that the boys really want the national team to start playing better and they do everything possible for this."

Composition of Ukraine's youth futsal team

Goalkeepers — Ivan Belimov ("Black Sea"), Dmytro Dyachenko, Konstantin Rafałski (both — "Cardinal-RivneStandard"); field players — Vadym Tyutyuray, Maxim Malynovskyi, Dmytro Skychyk (all — "Cardinal-RivneStandard"), Damian Zaporojan ("Hurricane"), Denis Snitsarenko (SkyUp Futsal), Roman Tatumiak ("United Pomecia," Italy), Dmytro Rybitskyi ("Futsal Szczecin," Poland), Andriy Yelishev, Vladyslav Tkachenko (both — "Tim Lembrk," Poland), Dmytro Fedik ("Levice," Slovakia), Nazariy Krukovskyy ("Burinhosa," Portugal), Igor Peletsykyi ("Vikingay," Lithuania).

Recall that on November 3 the draw for the preliminary and main rounds of Euro-2023 (U-19) futsal took place. According to its results, Ukraine's youth team was placed in Group 2 of the main round where it will face Romania, Serbia, and the winner of Group V of the preliminary round, which turned out to be Montenegro. The mini-tournament will take place from March 22–25 in Serbian city Vrnjačka Banja.

Euro-2023 (U-19) Futsal. Main Round Qualification. Group 2

March 22, 2023

Romania — Serbia (5:00 PM)

Ukraine — Montenegro (8:00 PM)

March 23, 2023

Serbia — Montenegro (5:00 PM)

Romania — Ukraine (8:00 PM)

March 25, 2023

Montenegro — Romania (5:00 PM)

Serbia — Ukraine (8:00 PM)

Match times are in Kyiv time.

The venue for the final tournament of Euro-2022/2023 futsal among under-19 boys was determined to be Poreč (Croatia). In addition to the hosts, Croatia, seven national teams will participate from September 3–10. The format of the final tournament remains the same: eight participants play in two groups of four teams each, with the top two advancing to the semifinals.

The debut European Championship for under-19 boys took place in 2019 in Rijeka, and the second edition was held in Hagen in 2022 — both times (2019, 2022) Spain's team won. The second championship was initially planned for 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ukrainian national team participated in both final tournaments. In 2019, Vitaliy Odegov’s wards secured third place in their group, and in 2022 they reached the semifinals.