Already in March, the women's national team of Ukraine will participate in the third European Championship in its history. Within their preparation for the tournament, our team will play two friendly matches against Slovakia. The games will take place in the Slovak city of Bardejov on February 21st and 22nd at 8:00 PM and 5:30 PM respectively, according to Kyiv time.

The day before, their expectations were shared by the coach of the blue-and-yellow team Oleg Shaytanov, whose words are quoted by the press service of the Ukrainian Futsal Association.

— Oleh Mykolaiovych, it has been quite a while since there were no official matches or friendlies in the women's national team. How important is it that the team has come back together again?

— Of course, every such meeting with friendly games is very important. Considering that the European Championship is not far off, these sparring matches are extremely necessary for our girls.

— What tasks are the main ones during these three days when the team will be together?

— The answer to this question is related to the previous one. Our last games took place in autumn within the main round of the European Championship. It ended, and all girls went to foreign clubs, dedicating themselves to solving tasks in their championships. After a long break, we are gathering so that our futsalists can feel the game together again in the national team. We need to recall connections and maintain them.

— The future opponent is the Slovakian national team. As a coach, you have already played against this team four times. What expectations do you have for these upcoming matches?

— We are preparing for tough games with a team that plays physical futsal. The opponent outmatches us in anthropometry and will impose their game on us. In some encounters with Slovakia, we managed to score many goals, but I wouldn't call them easy.

— A question about the lineup. For the first time, experienced Vera Dyatel has been called up to the national team, and after an injury, Anna Shulga is returning. How would you comment on these players' appearances?

— As for Anna Shulga, we managed to briefly talk, but agreed to have a more detailed conversation in Slovakia. The foundation of these talks is that the national team needs her, and she, in turn, needs the national team. Both Anna and I want her to play for her country's national team. I support this because she is a strong player. Regarding Vera Dyatel, I would like to note that she is a powerful futsalist. I hope that with her experience, she will also help us.

— Who from the list of players you wanted to call up is currently in the infirmary and cannot do so?

— Small injuries are now being experienced by Christina Stepanenko and Aliona Kyrilchuk. Unfortunately, Sofia Ruban has received a serious injury and will not be able to help us at the European Championship. She is scheduled for an operation. I wish the girls a speedy recovery and return to the national team's squad.

— Not long ago, it was officially announced that among women's national teams, a world championship will be held. As a coach, does this news please you because there will be more official matches?

— An official announcement is good, but it is also interesting to know about the next steps in organizing the tournament. Women's futsal has certainly been waiting for world competitions.

Lineup of the women's national team of Ukraine

Goalkeepers — Anastasiia Tereshenko («Interacional», Portugal), Viktoriia Kislava («Torreblanca», Spain), Nataliia Mytrofanova («Deportivo Coruña», Spain); field players — Yuliia Titova («Italkavereale Statti», Italy), Yuliia Forsyk, Xenia Grytsenko (both — «Móstoles», Spain), Iryna Dubitska, Taisiia Babenko (both — «Interacional», Portugal), Oleksandra Skibina, Mariia Vaskovets (both — «Hueventut», Spain), Anna Shulga («Torreblanca», Spain), Snizhana Volovenko («Athletico Navalcarnero B», Spain), Polina Drozd, Vera Dyatel (both — «Ilves», Finland).

We remind you that according to the decision of UEFA's Executive Committee, which includes President Andriy Pavelko, the final stage of Euro-2023 in women's futsal will be held from March 17th to 19th in Hungary. The games of four teams will take place at the «Phoenix Arena» in Debrecen.

One of the participants will be Ukraine's national team. Also, Spain, Portugal and Hungary have qualified for the final tournament. On January 24th in Debrecen, the draw took place, according to which the semi-final opponents of blue-and-yellow are Hungarians.

Euro-2023 in women's futsal

17.03     17.00     Semi-final             Spain — Portugal

17.03     20.30     Semi-final             Ukraine — Hungary

19.03     18.00     Match for third place

19.03     21.00     Final

Game start times — Kyiv time.

In the main round of the European Championship in women's futsal, which took place in Poland's Poznan, our team managed to secure first place in their group. In the first game, the national team of Ukraine defeated the Netherlands (5:2), in the second — beat Croatia (5:1), and concluded the mini-tournament with a draw against Poland (1:1). In summary, our team qualified for continental supremacy for the third time in history.

We remind you that the women's national team of Ukraine became a bronze medalist at the final tournament of Euro-2022, which took place from July 1st to 3rd in Portugal.