Euro 2023 (U-21). Three rivals of the Ukrainian youth national team in the final tournament held two friendlies each

At the time when Ukraine's under-21 national team played friendly matches against Denmark (3:2) and Italy (1:3) during March's international window, the finalists of the Euro 2023 (U-21) tournament for Rуslan Rotанy's charges, namely the teams from Croatia, Romania, and Spain, also held their own friendlies.

Euro 2023 (U-21). Three rivals of the Ukrainian youth national team in the final tournament held two friendlies each

Photo from uefa.com

While the Ukrainian youth team was playing friendly matches against Denmark (3:2) and Italy (1:3) during March's training camp, their Euro-2023 (U-21) final tournament rivals from Croatia, Romania, and Spain also played their own friendlies.

In particular, the Croatian youth team drew 0-0 at home against Israel and won away in England (2:1, goals - Baturova, Belo).

The Romanians lost to Portugal (0:2) on their own pitch and settled for a draw with Germany (0:0).

Spain's "youth" team beat Switzerland 3-2 at home (Rodríguez Sánchez, Riquelme-2), while they played out a goalless draw away to France (0:0).

It is worth noting that this year the Ukrainian youth team will participate in the Euro-2023 (U-21) final tournament. In total, 16 teams will take part in the forum taking place from June 21 to July 8 in Georgia and Romania. According to the draw results held on October 18 last year in Bucharest (here), the blue-and-yellow team were placed into Group B, where they will face Romania, Spain, and Croatia. The three best teams at Euro-2023 (excluding France and England) will qualify for the 2024 Olympics (here).

Euro-2023 (U-21). Calendar

Group Stage

Group A: Georgia, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands.

June 21, 2023

Georgia — Portugal 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

Belgium — Netherlands 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

June 24, 2023

Georgia — Belgium 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

Portugal — Netherlands 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

June 27, 2023

Netherlands — Georgia 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

Portugal — Belgium 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

Group B: Romania, Spain, Ukraine, Croatia.

June 21, 2023

Ukraine — Croatia 7:00 PM (Bucharest)

Romania — Spain 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

June 24, 2023

Romania — Ukraine 7:00 PM (Bucharest)

Spain — Croatia 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

June 27, 2023

Croatia — Romania 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

Spain — Ukraine 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

Group C: Czech Republic, England, Germany, Israel.

June 22, 2023

Czech Republic — England 7:00 PM (Batumi)

Germany — Israel 7:00 PM (Kutaisi)

June 25, 2023

Czech Republic — Germany 7:00 PM (Batumi)

England — Israel 7:00 PM (Kutaisi)

June 28, 2023

England — Germany 7:00 PM (Batumi)

Israel — Czech Republic 7:00 PM (Kutaisi)

Group D: Norway, Switzerland, France, Italy.

June 22, 2023

Norway — Switzerland 7:00 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

France — Italy 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

June 25, 2023

Switzerland — Italy 7:00 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Norway — France 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

June 28, 2023

Switzerland — France 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Italy — Norway 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Quarter-finals

July 1, 2023

A1 — C2 7:00 PM

B1 — D2 10:00 PM

July 2, 2023

C1 — A2 7:00 PM

D1 — B2 10:00 PM

Semifinals

July 5, 2023

Winner of Quarter-final 1 — Winner of Quarter-final 3 7:00 PM

Winner of Quarter-final 2 — Winner of Quarter-final 4 10:00 PM

Final

July 8, 2023

Winner of Semifinal 1 — Winner of Semifinal 2 7:00 PM

All times are in Kyiv time.