The head coach of Ukraine's youth national team, Ruslan Rotan, spoke with journalists after the quarter-final match against France (3:1) at Euro 2023 (U-21), following which our team secured an historic qualification for the Olympics in 2024.

— Mr. Rotan, have you already gotten used to the idea that Ukraine's national team has made it to the semi-finals?

— First of all, we congratulate Ukraine with this victory, our defenders, thank them! I congratulate the team that played a fantastic match and showed that we are truly a team. We strive for more! If you go back to when we first gathered, especially after the first qualifying match against France — we couldn't imagine that in just two matches we would beat this national team. I want to greet the players with their great play, with the victory, but most importantly for me is that they became the best among the best in this match.

— France defends very high, thereby opening up space on both flanks. You surprised us a bit with your lineup, as there was no classical striker — Sudaikov and Kryskiv ended up in this zone. Was it an instruction to stretch the opponent from one flank to another, quickly moving the ball between zones?

— We understood that France would defend very compactly inside, maximizing their coverage of the center. We focused on this and also on playing with a false «nine», to draw out defenders who play high up the pitch. Our fast wingers were supposed to run into these zones. But I am very pleased that when Mudrik and Sudaikov switched positions, George took on this role himself and broke through the space created by Kryskiv's pass. This match we definitely have to put in our win column.

I would like to note France's national team as well. It is a very strong collective, a good team with individual mastery. I am pleased that our boys reacted to the result both with individual skill and character, did not give up but quickly returned to the game.