Their third match in the group stage of the Euro 2023 final tournament, under coach Ruslan Rotan, was played on Tuesday with a draw against Spain (2:2). Considering previous wins over teams from Croatia (2:0) and Romania (1:0), the blue and yellow team accumulated seven points in total, securing second place in their group.

According to the draw, our team will face the winner of Group D — France — in the quarter-finals. Given that Spain and England have already secured victories at this stage, Ukraine guaranteed themselves a spot in the knockout matches for qualification to the 2024 Olympics (as potentially the second-best team among those eliminated in the quarter-finals). However, Ukrainians had an excellent opportunity to qualify directly for the Games — they needed to win today's match against France at "Cluj Arena."

If the coaching staff rotated players in the game against Spain, then in the match with France, they returned to a more standard lineup. Mudić finally appeared on the field from the start, while Sykan remained on the bench. Vanat was unable to help his team due to suspension.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

The first moment in the match occurred on the 6th minute — Trubin saved shots from Barcola and Sherki, following a loss of possession in their own half. Our boys responded with several good combinations but without scoring. Midway through the first half, the initiative was taken by the French, who opened the score at the 19th minute after a give-and-go between Le Feu-Barcola-Sherki.

Ukrainians quickly responded and scored themselves, but Kryskiv did so from an offside position. Then in the three-color team, Guiri headed the delivery — Trubin reacted. On the 32nd minute, thanks to Mudić's factor, who broke into the penalty area and won a penalty for Kaluli, Sudakov converted it, equalizing.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

On the 38th minute, the French made a class attack, which Barcola finished with an angled shot — our team was saved. In contrast, Ukraine took advantage of their chance: after Mudić's phenomenal pass from his own half, Sudakov scored against the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation. The Ukrainian national team went into halftime leading 2-1.

The second half seemed rich with battles, emotions, and yellow cards. However, moments came closer to the end of regular time. Adli's shot was dangerous, while Vaï even scored a goal for France, but after reviewing the replay, the referee disallowed it due to offside. The Ukrainians focused on counterattacks — which paid off. First, Nazarenko missed from an excellent position near the post, but shortly afterward, he assisted Bondarenko who outmaneuvered Lukeba and scored past the goalkeeper. In summary, Ukraine secured a convincing victory over one of the favorites — 3:1.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

This means that our team will play in the semi-finals of Euro 2023 on July 5 against Spain. Additionally, Ukrainians secured one of three spots at the Olympics 2024, which were up for grabs at this tournament. We add that Ukraine will participate in the football tournament of the Olympic Games for the first time!

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

EURO 2023 (U-21). Final tournament

Quarter-finals

France (U-21) — Ukraine (U-21) — 1:3 (1:2)

Goals: Sherki (19) — Sudakov (32, from the penalty spot, 44), Bondarenko (86).

France (U-21): Chevalier, Kaluli, Simakan (Jandré, 72), Lukeba, Nkunku, Le Feu, Kakere (c), Türam (Adli, 72), Barcola, Guiri (Vaï, 72), Sherki (Kaliumendo, 80).

Substitutes: Mellier, Bayiç, Larusse, Bade, Shotar, Diakité.

Coach: Sylvain Ripoll.

Ukraine (U-21): Trubin, Sytsch, Batagov, Talovevior, Vycharenko, Brazyko, Bondarenko (c) (Zhelezko, 88), Kashuk (Nazarenko, 59), Sudakov, Mudić (Bragaru, 78), Kryskiv (Sykan, 59).

Substitutes: Neischeret, Fesyun, Syrota, Vjunnik, Saluk, Lakh, Ocheretyko.

Coach: Ruslan Rotan.

Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal).

Yellow cards: Türam (58), Nkunku (67) — Kryskiv (51), Vycharenko (56), Sykan (62).

July 2. Cluj-Napoca. "Cluj Arena".

Quarter-finals

01.07.2023

Georgia — Israel — 0:0, p.p. 3:4

Spain — Switzerland — 2:1, d.c.

02.07.2023

England — Portugal — 1:0

France — Ukraine — 1:3

Semi-finals

05.07.2023

Israel — England 19:00 (Batumi)

Spain — Ukraine 22:00 (Bucharest)

Final

08.07.2023

Winner of semi-final 1 — winner of semi-final 2 19:00 (Batumi)

Match times are in Kyiv time.