The blue-and-yellow team started the match against Spain as quarter-finalists, having already accumulated six points by defeating Croatia (2-0) and Romania (1-0). It remained to be determined from which position Ukraine would advance to the knockout stage. This question had to be resolved against Spain. To finish first in the group, considering their better goal difference compared to competitors, only a victory could suffice for Rotsan's wards.

Coaches of both teams opted for extensive rotation. Thus, in the Ukrainian team, only Vovcharenko and Kryskiv retained their starting spots. We note that Vanat was unable to play due to disqualification and will also miss the quarter-finals.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

The match began with a rough mistake by Ocheretko, who gifted the ball to Camilleyo, but Neshcherev won the close battle. The Ukrainians responded with several decent attacks, though Agirresabala did not enter the game. At the 20th minute, Neshcherev failed to handle the ball—Riquelme sent the sphere into an empty net, but the referee spotted a foul by the Spaniard. Later, Salyuk "brought" it again, but Camilleyo once more could not outplay our goalkeeper in one-on-one situations.

However, at the 43rd minute, the blue-and-yellow team scored impressively. Nazarenko raced across half the field on the right flank and delivered a precise pass to Vyunnik's head, who did not miss. 1-0.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

Immediately after halftime, the Spaniards equalized, and once again, the Ukrainians were ineffective near their own goal. Riquelme passed with a teammate and executed a cross, while Syrota cleared the ball to Jelezko's foot, which went into the net—an own goal. 1-1.

Subsequently, the Pyreneans controlled the match, frequently pressing our national team in their penalty area. However, sharp moments near both teams' goals were scarce for a long time. Nevertheless, on the 80th minute, after Syrota's corner kick to Spain’s penalty area, Sikan burst through and Roman fouled our forward. Sudakov confidently converted the penalty. 2-1.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

However, at the 90th minute, Spain managed to equalize—Ruiz took advantage of a clever pass from Rodrigo Sanchez, outmaneuvered Syrota and scored past Neshcherev. 2-2.

The draw means that Ukraine's national team secured the second spot in the group. Our team will play their quarter-final on July 2nd in Cluj-Napoca against the Group D winner (France, Italy, Switzerland).

UEFA-2023 (U-21). Final tournament. Group B

Round 3

Spain (U-21) — Ukraine (U-21) — 2:2 (0:1)

Goals: Jelezko (49, own goal), Ruiz (90) — Vyunnik (43), Sudakov (81, from the penalty).

Spain (U-21): Agirresabala (Roman, 46), Martinez, Gilamon (c), Gila, M. Sanchez, Bernabe (Vega, 82), Sances (Ruiz, 63), Barrenechea (R. Sanchez, 73), Oros, Riquelme, Camilleyo (Blanco, 63).

Substitutes: Tenas, V. Gomez, Miranda, Pacheco, Paredes, Bayona, S. Gomez.

Captain: Santi Denia.

Ukraine (U-21): Neshcherev, Lakh, Salyuk, Syrota (c), Vovcharenko (Syk, 46), Ocheretko (Sudakov, 73), Jelezko, Nazarenko (Sikan, 73), Kryskiv (Brazhko, 63), Bragaru (Kaschuk, 63), Vyunnik.

Substitutes: Trubin, Fesun, Taloviyev, Mudrik, Batagov, Bondarenko.

Captain: Ruslan Rotan.

Referee: Donatas Rumshas (Lithuania).

Yellow cards: Kryskiv (7).

June 27. Bucharest. Rapid-Gulaisi Stadium.

Croatia — Romania — 0:0

Final standings

Quarter-finals

July 1, 2023

Georgia — S2 7.00 PM (Tbilisi)

Spain — D2 10.00 PM (Bucharest)

July 2, 2023

England — Portugal 7.00 PM (Kutaisi)

D1 — Ukraine 10.00 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Semifinals

July 5, 2023

Winner of quarter-final 1 — winner of quarter-final 3 7.00 PM (Batumi)

Winner of quarter-final 2 — winner of quarter-final 4 10.00 PM (Bucharest)

Final

July 8, 2023

Winner of semifinal 1 — winner of semifinal 2 7.00 PM (Batumi)

A potential playoff match for the Olympic qualification ticket for the Olympics-2024 may take place on July 7th (10.00 PM) or July 8th (4.00 PM) in Bucharest. 

Match times are according to Kyiv time.