Andriy Shevchenko engaged with players and coaches of Ukraine U-19 set to compete in EURO 2024

30.03.2024 11:55

In a virtual conference held at the Football House, the President of the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), Andriy Shevchenko, extended his greetings to the players and coaches of the Ukraine U-19 team. The team has earned the right to compete in the final tournament of the European Championship, set to take place in July in Northern Ireland.

Dmytro Mykhailenko, the head coach of the Ukraine U-19 team, expressed gratitude to Andriy Shevchenko for his support during the team's first match of the elite qualification round in North Macedonia.

"I want to thank you for personally congratulating the boys on their victory (2:0) in that match against the tournament hosts. As for the upcoming matches, while we expected such a result (3:0) against Latvia, the match against Switzerland felt like a true final. This team defeated the Italians and the Swedes in the previous qualification round, demonstrating commendable football."

"But we believed in our abilities and rightfully won - 3:0. A big thank you to all the players and coaching staff. We are truly proud to be Ukrainians and to have achieved such success," emphasized Dmytro Mykhailenko, addressing Andriy Shevchenko.

In response, the President of UAF stated, "On behalf of myself and the entire association, the entire football community, I congratulate you! I was at your first match and watched the others in full. I like the style in which you play. Lads, you are great! I think this is an important step in your career, and I am very pleased that you as a team have shown a very cool result. You demonstrated that you want to play vibrant, combinational football, that corresponds to today's global trend."

"I believe that each of you has your ambitions. And this is very important. Because personal ambitions and team ambitions are what your career is built on. However, the most important thing is the team. I can say from my experience that playing for your club is one thing, and playing for the national team is quite another. It's a completely different responsibility. The bar is immediately raised very high, both physically, technically, and motivationally."

"So I wish you to raise this bar in your career and for those ambitions, you have to be realized. Both personal and team. I want to thank you once again! Right now, you need to listen to the advice of the coaching staff and prepare well for the final tournament. From our side, I promise you full support from the Ukrainian Association of Football."

The final tournament of Euro 2024 will take place from July 15 to 28 in Northern Ireland, with eight teams participating. The draw will be held on April 17 in Belfast (starting at 17:00 Kyiv time).

All participants of this forum have already been determined. In addition to Northern Ireland, the tournament will feature Ukraine, Italy (current champion), France, Spain, Turkey, Norway, and Denmark. The hosts will take place in starting position A1, while the other teams will be divided into two groups. The two best teams from each quartet will advance to the semifinals. The final is scheduled for July 28 at Windsor Park in Belfast.

A match for the third place is not scheduled, but one for the fifth will take place, as Europe will delegate exactly five representatives to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be held in Chile with the participation of 24 teams. Therefore, the winner of the match between the third-placed teams will join the four semifinalists. Like the semifinals, it is scheduled for July 25.