Serhiy Sapronov: "The UEFA Development Tournament's informative value is invaluable"

16.04.2024 14:00

From April 17th to April 22nd, the UEFA Development Tournament for WU-16 national teams will be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, featuring teams from Ukraine, Slovenia, and North Macedonia, alongside the host team.

In a comment to the official website of the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), the head coach of the Ukraine WU-16 team, Serhiy Sapronov, shared the latest updates on the team's preparations.

- Twenty players are included in the Ukrainian delegation. Did you invite all the strongest players in this age group?

- Before heading to the Balkans, we had a short-term training camp in Lviv, where we trained at the local University of Physical Education base.

It should be noted that only three players in the delegation have previously been called up to the national team: goalkeeper Anna Kharchenko, midfielders Evelina Kuptsova, and Karolina Ruban. The rest are players born in 2009, selected during the nationwide competitions of this age group. Unfortunately, due to various reasons, defenders Yelyzaveta Naydionova and Anastasiya Shvorin from Kryvbas will not be able to join us in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- What is the benefit of this UEFA Development Tournament?

- For the majority of the girls, this will be their first international experience. The same can be said for our opponents. It's important that according to the tournament regulations, each registered player must spend at least 90 minutes on the pitch throughout three matches. So, everyone will get the necessary playing time, and coaches will have the opportunity to see what their players are capable of.

- Who will assist you during the tournament?

- Nataliya Churikova and Yuriy Panfilov, who will be responsible for goalkeeper training.

Ukraine WU-16 squad:

Goalkeepers: Anna Kharchenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Mariya Vakulko (Litsey Kostopil), Ulyana Solovyova (Dnipro-1 Dnipro).

Defenders: Anastasiya Bielkina (Krystal Kryvyi Rih), Veronika Derevyanko, Iryna Oliynychenko (both EMS-Podillya Vinnytsia), Valeriya Kazina, Anna Petrovska (both Podil Kyiv/Yunist Chernihiv), Kateryna Derkach (Veres Rivne), Mariya Osadcha (Sisters Odesa), Nina Pipchenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Darina Ivasko (Mynai).

Midfielders: Milena Ivanchenko, Karolina Ruban (both Krystal Kryvyi Rih), Adriana Kushnir (Mariupol), Evelina Kuptsova (Metalist 1925 Kharkiv), Mariya Kuts (Vorskla Poltava), Sofiya Tymoshenko (Podil Kyiv/Youth Chernihiv).

Forwards: Darya Zhukova (Dnipro-1 Dnipro), Karina Lespukh (Minai).

UEFA Development Tournament schedule for WU-16 teams:

April 17, 2024

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs North Macedonia (12:00)

Ukraine vs Slovenia (15:00)

April 19, 2024

Ukraine vs North Macedonia (12:00)

Slovenia vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (15:00)

April 22, 2024

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Ukraine (12:00)

Slovenia vs North Macedonia (15:00)

All match times are in Kyiv time.

It's worth noting that the Ukraine WU-17 women's team participated in the UEFA European Championship 2024 qualification second round in March. Our players finished last in their group and were relegated to League B.