Three days ago, defeating France in the quarter-finals (3:1), Ukraine's youth national team secured a place for our country to participate in the Olympic football tournament for the first time. Now, however, the blue-and-yellow team were facing Spain in the semi-final match-up, which they had already met during the group stage and played to a draw — 2:2.

Compared to their previous game, Ruslan Rotan made two changes in the lineup. Kachuk was replaced by Nazarenko, while Sykan returned to the starting eleven due to Krisykyv's suspension for accumulating too many yellow cards.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

From the first minutes, the Spaniards controlled possession and launched several focused attacks. Trubin dealt with a shot from Sánchez at an acute angle, while Baena's attempt after receiving a pass in the penalty area went wide of the target. However, on the 13th minute, the blue-and-yellow team executed a brilliant counterattack that ended with Bondarenko scoring after Mudryk broke through and crossed.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

However, very quickly "La Furia Roja" turned the situation around and scored twice. On the 17th minute, Victor Gómez delivered a precise through pass to Ruiz who put the ball in the net despite protests from Pryzhebko, Trubin, and Talovyev. Soon after, Ukraine's team faltered in their defensive zone - Sánchez was set up for an attacking position outside the penalty area and did not miss.

Our boys tried to improve the situation before halftime, playing wider and involving Mudryk more often. In the end, Mykhailo created a chance by dribbling past several opponents and delivering a cross, but Tenas parried Sykan's shot.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

The second half began with a long-range shot from Bondarenko over the crossbar. However, the Spaniards once again managed to impose their game and score soon after. On the 54th minute, Bondarenko failed to intercept Ruiz's pass, the ball bounced off to Blanco who scored in the far corner.

The Ukrainians responded with a long-range shot from Bondarenko - Tenas saved it. The substitutions by Ruslan Rotan did not help either, and on the 68th minute, the Pyreneans scored again - Oros executed a perfect strike from the penalty line into the far corner. Shortly after, Sergio Gómez scored in similar fashion past Trubin. In the final minutes, Barrenetxea could have scored as well but our team held firm.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

Thus, Ukraine's national team lost in the semi-final with a score of 1-5 and concluded their participation at Euro 2023 (U-21). Spain will compete for the title against England on July 8th.

Euro 2023 (U-21) Final Tournament

Semi-final

Spain (U-21) - Ukraine (U-21) - 5:1 (2:1)

Goals: Ruiz (17), Sánchez (24), Blanco (54), Oros (68), S. Gómez (78) — Bondarenko (13).

Spain (U-21): Tenas, V. Gómez, Paredes, Pacoeco, Miranda, Blanco (Bernabé, 75), Baena (Veiga, 75), Sánchez (Oros, 59), R. Sanz (Barrenetxea, 59), Ruiz (c), S. Gómez (Riquelme, 79).

Substitutes: Agirresabala, Roman, Guillamon, Martínez, Gil, M. Sanz, Camilleo.

Coach: Santi Denia.

Ukraine (U-21): Trubin, Sych, Batagov, Taloveyev, Vycharenko (Bragaru, 61), Pryzhebko (Zhelizko, 61), Bondarenko (c) (Ocheretko, 76), Nazarenko (Kachuk, 46), Sudakov, Mudryk, Sykan (Vanut, 61).

Substitutes: Neischeret, Fesyun, Sirota, Vjunnik, Saluk, Lakh.

Coach: Ruslan Rotan.

Referee: Eric Lambrecht (Belgium).

Yellow cards: Blanco (37) — Sych (44).

July 5, Bucharest. Stadium "Steaua".

Semi-finals

05.07.2023

Israel - England - 0:3

Spain — Ukraine — 5:1

Final

08.07.2023

England - Spain 19.00 (Batumi)

Match times are in Kyiv time.

Aside from the host of the 2024 Olympics, teams from France, as well as those representing Spain, Israel and Ukraine will compete at the European Games.