Earlier in the group stage of Euro-2023 (U-19), which is being held in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia, the blue-and-yellow team confidently defeated Montenegro (12:1) and Romania (7:3). In the decisive match of their group, the Ukrainians faced the hosts who also secured two victories.

To claim the first step, our boys needed only a draw. However, Igor Moskvichov's wards immediately showed that they were playing for victory. On the opening seconds of the game, Malynovsky hit the crossbar, and shortly after Tytyuray opened the scoring. Afterwards, the Serbs often threatened our goal, but Dyachenko was up to the task; once he was saved by the frame. At the 10th minute, following a corner kick, Skychyk doubled Ukraine's lead, and at the end of the first half, after an out-of-bounds play, Dmitry scored his second goal. The score was 3:0.

After halftime, the Serbs attacked more frequently while our boys tried to maintain their advantage and possibly score a fourth goal. On the 31st minute, Dzukic reduced the hosts' deficit with a long-range shot, and on the 40th minute, Jeremic narrowed Ukraine's lead to the minimum. However, time ran out for the Balkan team, and just seconds before the final whistle, Malynovsky scored after Dyachenko's throw-in — the score was 4:2.

Thus, the blue-and-yellow team secured first place in their group and qualified for one of three European championships. Along with Ukraine, Croatia (the hosts), Slovenia, Portugal, Finland, France, Spain, and Italy also advanced to the final tournament.

Euro-2023 (U-19) Futsal Qualifying Round

March 22, 2023

Ukraine — Montenegro — 12:1

Romania — Serbia — 1:6

March 23, 2023

Romania — Ukraine — 3:7

Serbia — Montenegro — 3:1

March 25, 2023

Serbia — Ukraine — 2:4 (0:3)

Goals: Dzukic (31), Jeremic (40) — Tytyuray (1), Skychyk (10, 18), Malynovsky (40).

Serbia: Maroyevich — Paykovich, Rakic (c), Dzukic, Vujovic; Makivich, Kostich, Stojanovic, Dedinc, Andelkovich, Jeremic, Chorovitch.

Ukraine: Dyachenko — Ribitsky, Malynovsky, Tytyuray, Skychyk (c); Belimov, Tatumirak, Tkachenko, Yelishev, Fedik, Snitarenko, Peletsyk.

Warned: Vujovic (14), Dedinc (14), Stojanovic (24) — Ribitsky (14).

Montenegro — Romania — 2:7 (0:3)

Final Standings

The venue for the final tournament of Euro-2022/2023 Futsal Championship among under-19 teams was determined to be Poreč (Croatia). In addition to the hosts, Croatia, seven national teams will compete from September 3rd to 10th after the second qualification round ends by March 26. 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 inaugural European Championship for under-19 futsal took place in Rijeka in 2019 and the second edition was held in Hagen in 2022 — both times (2019, 2022) Spain's team emerged as champions. The second championship was initially planned for 2021 but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ukrainian national team participated in both final tournaments. In 2019, under Vitaliy Odegov's guidance, they secured third place in their group, and in 2022, they stopped at the semifinals.