Volodymyr Pyatenko: "We deserved points against Wales"

05.06.2024 14:30

Head coach of the Ukrainian women's national team, Volodymyr Pyatenko, shared his thoughts on his team's performance in the two EURO 2025 qualifying matches against Wales on the UAF official website:

— I believe we deserved the draws both away (1:1) and in the home match (2:2), although the style of these matches was different.

— It was noticeable that in the match on neutral ground in Poland, the starting lineup of the Ukrainian team was the same as in Wales...

— There was no point in making changes since the team executed the game plan well in the away match. We relied on scoring an early goal, and once we did, we controlled the game even though the hosts had a territorial advantage. When the British equalized in the middle of the second half, our girls did not lose their composure and managed to withstand the pressure. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our 12th player — many compatriots currently in Wales came to support us. Thank you!

— The blue-yellows led for a long time in the second match as well, despite experts considering the British as favorites...

— The beginning was very tough, with the Welsh creating threatening moments after a series of corners. We stood firm, and after a well-executed combination, we forced the visitors to capitulate. Unfortunately, a rather dubious penalty, which the British converted in the middle of the second half, disrupted us. And within a few minutes, our opponents scored again...

— At this crucial moment, did you have any doubts about a positive outcome for Ukraine?

— No, because I knew the girls were highly motivated and would recover. We also hoped the fresh players coming off the bench would add dynamism. And when Nicole Kozlova equalized in the eighth minute of added time, it was well-deserved.

— Would you highlight any specific players?

— I won't single anyone out. All the girls are commendable. After an exhausting club season, they gathered and played with determination, defending the honor of the national team. This is significant, as all the goals scored against the British were well-earned.

— What’s next?

— In July, we have matches against Croatia and Kosovo. We need to win.

Euro 2025 Women's Qualifiers. League B. Group 4

Matchday 1

05.04.2024

Ukraine — Kosovo — 2:0

Wales — Croatia — 4:0

Matchday 2

09.04.2024

Croatia — Ukraine — 1:0

Kosovo — Wales — 0:6

Matchday 3

31.05.2024

Wales — Ukraine — 1:1

Kosovo — Croatia — 0:1

Matchday 4

04.06.2024

Ukraine — Wales — 2:2

Croatia — Kosovo — 2:0

Standings

Matchday 5

12.07.2024

Kosovo - Ukraine

Croatia - Wales

Matchday 6

16.07.2024

Ukraine - Croatia

Wales - Kosovo

The results of the Women's Euro 2025 qualifying draw

League A

Group A1: Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Finland.

Group A2: Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Czechia.

Group A3: France, England, Sweden, Ireland.

Group A4: Germany, Austria, Iceland, Poland.

League B.

Group B1: Switzerland, Hungary, Turkey, Azerbaijan.

Group B2: Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Israel.

Group B3: Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Malta.

Group B4: Wales, Croatia, Ukraine, Kosovo.

League C.

Group C1: Belarus, Lithuania, Cyprus, Georgia.

Group C2: Slovenia, Latvia, North Macedonia, Moldova.

Group C3: Greece, Montenegro, Andorra, Faroe Islands.

Group C4: Romania, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Armenia.

Group C5: Albania, Estonia, Luxembourg.

The distribution of tickets for Euro-2025 takes place based on the results of the next league cycle. The teams compete in groups of four or three teams (League C). The eight best teams in League A (first and second places) immediately go to the final tournament. There they join the host country, Switzerland.

The remaining seven passes are to be played in two rounds of playoffs. In the one-way first round, the third- and fourth-placed teams in League A face the group winners and the top three second-placed teams in League C. The eight winners advance to the second round.

Elsewhere, the four group winners and the top two runners-up in League B play the remaining two runners-up and the four third-placed teams in League B. The six winners advance to the second round.

In the second round of the playoffs, 14 national teams directly play for seven tickets to the final tournament of Euro-2025, where a total of 16 participants play.

The paths of the teams in the play-off matches are to be adjusted, if necessary, taking into account the performances of Switzerland, which plays in League B, but will be represented at the Euro as the host country.

If Switzerland finishes first, second, or third in their B League group, the fourth-best team from that division will enter the playoffs.

Promotion and relegation

In parallel, teams will also compete for positions in the next Nations League, which begins the 2025-2027 cycle:

— winners, holders of second and third places in League A groups will remain in League A;

— the second-place winners and the three best third-place winners in League B groups will remain in League B;

— the winners of the second, third, and fourth places in the groups of League C will remain in League C;

— the winners of the groups in the B and C leagues will move to the higher division;

— the fourth-place finishers in League A and B groups, as well as the worst third-place finisher in League B, will be relegated.

Euro-2025 among women's teams. Calendar

Matches 1—2 rounds: April 3-9, 2024.

Matches 3—4 rounds: May 29 - June 4, 2024.

Matches 5—6 rounds: July 10-16, 2024.

Playoff draw: July 19, 2024

1st round of playoffs (2 matches): October 23-29, 2024.

2nd round of playoffs (2 matches): November 27 - December 3, 2024.

Final tournament draw: December 16, 2024.

Final tournament: July 2-27, 2025 (Switzerland).