Yuriy Moroz's team started their journey in the final tournament in Cyprus with a defeat against Serbia (0:1). Now, in Paralimni, our boys tried to improve their standing in a match against Czechia.

Photo by Andriy Lichko

The first half was dominated by Jiri Zilak's team. They immediately started creating chances and earning corners, and in the 12th minute, Mudry opened the scoring with a penalty, which the Ukrainians conceded themselves. Our team responded with an inaccurate shot by Strilchuk.

In the 32nd minute, Makarenko saved the blue-yellows by stopping a close-range shot from Penksa, and later the Czechs even scored, but from an offside position. Only just before the break did Stepanov and Dihtyar test the opponent's goalkeeper.

Photo by Andriy Lichko

The second half started with Stepanov's shot going over the target. In the 57th minute, Svancara spared our team by hitting the post from a volley. Later, Kvacek was put through one-on-one with the keeper, but Makarenko won the duel. However, moments later, Rzegacek crossed to the far post, where Penksa managed to push the ball into the net.

Ukraine couldn't reduce the deficit. Instead, in the 88th minute, Penksa scored his second goal, putting the outcome beyond doubt. In stoppage time, Dihtyar converted a penalty earned by Strilchuk, making the final score 1:3 in favor of Czechia.

Photo by Andriy Lichko

After suffering their second consecutive defeat, Yuriy Moroz's team lost their chances of advancing from the group. The next game, against the hosts Cyprus, will take place on May 26.

Euro-2024 (U-17) Final Tournament

Group A

May 20, 2024

Serbia — Ukraine — 1:0

Cyprus — Czechia — 0:5

May 23, 2024

Ukraine (U-17) — Czechia (U-17) — 1:3 (0:1)

Goals: Dihtyar (90+5, penalty) — Mudry (12, penalty), Penksa (61, 88).

Ukraine (U-17): Makarenko, Sheleketa (Rybak, 67), Tretyak, Dihtyar, Strilchuk, Redushko, Soroka, Olychenko (Vakulyuk, 84), Denysov (Bondar, 67), Stepanov (Popov, 84), Bohdanov (Drahan, 90+3).

Czechia (U-17): Obdrzalek, Rzegaček, Krpalek, Micek, Kolísek, Sloňčík, Panosh (Naskos, 68), Švancara (Sosna, 68), Mudry (Belžík, 81), Penksa (Kolařík, 90+1), Kvacek (Něchvátal, 68).

Booked: Denysov (35), Bohdanov (77), Tretyak (90+6), Popov (90+6).

Cyprus — Serbia — 1:3 (1:1)

Standings

May 26, 2024

Ukraine vs. Cyprus (20:30, Larnaca)

Czechia vs. Serbia (20:30, Larnaca)

Quarter-finals

May 29, 2024

1. A1 vs. B2 (17:30 or 20:00, Larnaca)
   
2. B1 vs. A2 (17:30 or 20:00, Larnaca)
   

May 30, 2024

1. C1 vs. D2 (18:00 or 20:30, Larnaca)
   
2. D1 vs. C2 (18:00 or 20:30, Larnaca)
   

Semi-finals

June 2, 2024

1. Winner 1 vs. Winner 3 (18:00 or 20:30, Larnaca)
   
2. Winner 2 vs. Winner 4 (18:00 or 20:30, Larnaca)
   

Final

June 5, 2024

Winner 5 vs. Winner 6 (20:30, Limassol)

All match times are Kyiv time.