Today, on September 3rd in Poreč, Croatia, the Euro-2023 (U-19) futsal tournament kicked off. The Ukrainian youth team started their participation in the final round with a match against Italy.

We remind you that in March, the Ukrainian youth futsal team qualified for the continental championship's final stage for the third consecutive time. Within Group 2 of the main qualifying round for Euro-2023 (U-19), which was held in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, Igor Moskvichov’s wards confidently defeated Montenegro (12:1) and Romania (7:3), but lost to Serbia (4:2) in the decisive match, securing first place in their group.

In the final phase of the competition, the blue and yellow team will play in Group B alongside Italy, Slovenia, and Finland. Today's match against the Azzurri was our team’s opening game.

In the first half, Ukrainians had several excellent opportunities to score: Malynovsky missed a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Tkatyenko and Snitsarenko narrowly missed their shots. However, it was the opponents who scored first – Ficare converted an effective counterattack on the 16th minute.

After halftime, unfortunately, the Italians scored again thanks to a deflection. Our boys did not give up and quickly narrowed the gap – Malynovsky finished off a beautiful combination play with a goal. Prihodko had an opportunity to equalize but hit the crossbar. He also missed another chance in the final minutes. Even playing with five players on the field didn't help us. In conclusion, it was a pretty disappointing loss (1:2) at the start of the competition.

Euro-2023 (U-19) Futsal Final Tournament

Group A: Croatia, Portugal, Spain, France.

Group B: Ukraine, Finland, Slovenia, Italy.

Round 1

03.09.2023

Ukraine — Italy — 1:2 (0:1)

Goals: Malynovsky (28) — Ficare (16), Peletsykyi (26, own goal).

Ukraine: Belimov — Fedik, Malynovsky, Tyutyray, Skychyk (c); Dyachenko, Rafalskyi, Prihodko, Tatumyrak, Tkatenko, Yelishev, Snitsarenko, Peletsykyi.

Italy: Yagubian — Settino (c), Lavrendi, Salvetti, Peracetta; Giatarella, Turrizi, Avellano, Ficare, Buoi, Vesico, Checarrelli, Barbera, Grosso.  

Yellow cards: Malynovsky (30) — Buoi (20).

Finland — Slovenia — 2:4

Group B. Tournament table

Portugal — Spain — 5:3

Croatia — France — 6:6

04.09.2023

Slovenia — Ukraine (14.00)

Italy — Finland (16.30)

France — Portugal (19.00)

Spain — Croatia (21.30)

06.09.2023

Ukraine — Finland (14.00)

Slovenia — Italy (16.30)

Spain — France (19.00)

Croatia — Portugal (21.30)

08.09.2023

Semi-final 1 (18.30 or 21.30)

Semi-final 2 (18.30 or 21.30)

10.09.2023

Final (21.30)

Match times are in Kyiv time.