Character triumphs: Mykhailenko reflects on Ukrainian resilience amid challenges

28.03.2024 13:00

From March 20th to 26th, the Ukrainian youth national team embarked on a spirited journey through the elite qualifying round for Euro 2024 (U-19).

Their mission was to clinch the top spot in a competitive field featuring Switzerland, North Macedonia, and Latvia, and secure passage to the final stage of the European Championship.

With determination and skill, the team surpassed expectations, emerging as group winners. Following the intense matches, Dmytro Mykhailenko, head coach of the Ukrainian national team, shared his insights in an interview with the official website of the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF).

- Mr. Mykhailenko, how do you assess the recent tournament for the Ukrainian national team?

- Overall, I view it positively. Qualifying for the Euro finals is a significant achievement for us. We set high goals, aiming to clinch the top spot in our group, and the team delivered.

- Which match posed the greatest challenge for the Ukrainian team?

- Each match presented its own set of difficulties, but undoubtedly, our clash against Switzerland was the toughest. They boast a formidable team, having defeated Italy and Sweden in the qualifiers. Our showdown with them determined our path to the European Championship. It's in such moments that the true character of our players shines through, and they rose admirably to the occasion.

- The Ukrainian team maintained an impressive defensive record throughout the tournament. Was the defensive strategy flawless?

- While perfection might be elusive, we dedicated considerable time to refining our defensive formations. A solid defense greatly enhances our chances of victory in fast-paced tournaments like this. Given the limited time for tactical adjustments between matches, especially with several new faces in the squad compared to the qualifiers, I'm pleased with our defensive resilience. Notably, we were the only team in the elite round not to concede a goal.

- Matviy Ponomarenko emerged as the tournament's top scorer with five goals. Do you believe he's ready for senior-level football?

- It's difficult to say definitively without testing him at that level, but there's certainly room for growth and development in his game.

- In your opinion, what is the key strength of Ukrainian football

- I believe our strength lies in the indomitable spirit of Ukrainians. Despite facing challenges, including the departure of several key players due to the war, our young talents have stepped up. With many of them also plying their trade in reputable European clubs, the foundation of our success remains our unwavering determination and resilience, especially during these challenging times.

Euro 2024 (U-19). Elite Qualifying round. Group 7

March 20, 2024

Switzerland - Latvia - 1:0

North Macedonia - Ukraine - 0:2

March 23, 2024

Switzerland - North Macedonia - 2:0

Ukraine - Latvia - 3:0

March 26, 2024

Ukraine - Switzerland - 3:0

Latvia - North Macedonia - 1:1

Standings

The draw for the final tournament will take place on April 17 in Belfast (starting at 17:00 Kyiv time). In addition to Northern Ireland, the tournament will feature Ukraine, Italy (the reigning champion), France, Spain, Turkey, Norway, and Denmark. The hosts will occupy position A1, with the other teams being distributed into two groups. From each quartet, the top two national teams will advance to the semifinals, scheduled to be played on July 28 at Windsor Park in Belfast, where they will compete for the main trophy.

There won't be a match for the third place, but there will be one for the fifth, as Europe will delegate exactly five representatives to the 2025 U-20 World Cup, to be held in Chile with the participation of 24 national teams. Therefore, the winner of the match between the third-placed teams from the groups will join the four semifinalists. Like the semifinals, it is scheduled for July 25.