Italy victorious again: Ukraine women's futsal team defeated once more

19.03.2024 21:37

As part of their preparation for the 2025 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers, the Ukraine women's futsal team traveled to Taranto for two friendly matches against Italy. The first encounter ended with a 4:2 victory for the hosts.

The second match started with Italy's relentless pressure, countered by a dangerous shot from Hrytsenko for Ukraine. In the 8th minute, Mytrofanska came to her team's rescue after a shot from Grieco. However, shortly after, Ferrari opened the scoring for Italy after a corner. Soon, Butima capitalized on a pass from her teammate, doubling Italy's lead.

Despite several Italy opportunities, Stepanenko impressed for Ukraine with a good long-range strike. In the 18th minute, Butima scored again, followed by Berte, making it 4:0.

In the second half, Italy quickly regained control, with Mansueto finding the net in the 23rd minute. Mytrofanska had to intervene again for Ukraine, while Kuznetsova made two attempts for the blue-yellows. As the game progressed, the intensity waned, but Italy managed to score two more goals, ending the match with a resounding 6:0 victory.

Friendly match of women's futsal teams

Italy - Ukraine - 6:0 (4:0)

Goals: Ferrari (10), Butima (11, 18), Berte (18), Mansueto (23), De Cao (40)

Italy: Sestari (Di Biase, 34) - Coppari, Borges, Butima, Adamatti; Grieco, Mansueto, Gillardi, De Cao, Berte, Bovo, Dal'Maz, Ferrari, De Siena.

Ukraine: Mytrofanska (Novikova, 38) - Kuznetsova, Hrytsenko, Dubytska, Forsyuk; Kalyahina, Volovenko, Terekh, Kovshyk, Kovalenko, Kaverzina, Stepanenko, Burlachenko, Drozd.

Yellow cards: Ferrari (32) - Kaverzina (28).

2025 Women's Futsal World Cup. European Qualifiers. Format

26 teams will compete for four spots in the World Cup across the main and elite rounds.

Participants: England, Belgium, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gibraltar, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine, Finland, France, Croatia, Czechia, Sweden.

Spain and Portugal have received direct tickets to the elite round. If a European team earns the right to host the World Cup, they will secure a direct entry into the final stage.

Main round (dates of draw and matches to be determined later): 24 teams will be divided into six groups. The group winners and, if necessary, the best team among the second-place finishers will advance to the elite round.

Elite round (dates of draw and matches to be determined later): Eight teams, including Spain and Portugal, will be divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the final stage.

The first Women's Futsal World Cup will take place in 2025. Sixteen teams will participate. The quotas for the World Cup are distributed as follows: Europe - 4, South America - 3, Asia - 3, Africa - 2, CONCACAF - 2, Oceania - 1. Another spot will be allocated to the host country.

Following the introduction of the Women's Futsal World Cup, UEFA will expand the Women's Futsal Euro to eight teams. The tournament will be held every four years, with the next edition taking place in 2027.

It is worth noting that Spain won all three Women's Futsal European Championships held before this moment - in 2019, 2022 (postponed from 2021), and 2023. The Ukrainian national team finished fourth, third, and second respectively in these tournaments.