Nataliya Ihnatovych: "If determined to claim first place, it doesn't matter how many opponents to beat"

09.06.2024 15:20

Head coach of the Ukrainian women's under-19 team, Nataliya Ihnatovych, commented on the results of the EURO 2025 first-round qualifying draw, in which the yellow-blue team ended up in Group 6 of League B alongside Israel and Armenia:

"Our paths crossed with the Armenian team last year in the Euro qualifiers, and we easily won. However since the compositions of all teams have undergone significant changes, we are currently updating our dossiers on opponents. I consider the Israeli team to be our main competitor.

As for my attitude towards having only three teams in our group instead of four like in others? You know, if you're determined to claim first place, it doesn't matter how many opponents you have to beat. And our goal is to return to the elite division.

Regarding the replacements for those girls who aged out, we will primarily involve the leaders of the Ukrainian women's under-17 team. Among them are talented players. I hope that in September, during the training camp, there will be an opportunity to get to know them better. If there are any adjustments to these preparation plans, we will gather a few days before the start of the qualification tournament. Where and when it will take place will be known next week".

EURO 2025 (WU-19). First Qualifying Round

League A

Group A1: Germany, Denmark, Greece, Kosovo.

Group A2: France, Portugal, Slovakia, North Macedonia.

Group A3: Ireland, Norway, Finland, Bulgaria.

Group A4: England, Poland, Italy, Turkey.

Group A5: Serbia, Austria, Czechia, Faroe Islands.

Group A6: Spain, Belgium, Iceland, Northern Ireland.

Group A7: Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Scotland.

League B

Group B1: Belarus, Albania, Montenegro, Moldova.

Group B2: Romania, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein.

Group B3: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wales, Lithuania, Georgia.

Group B4: Slovenia, Croatia, Luxembourg, Malta.

Group B5: Switzerland, Estonia, Cyprus, Azerbaijan.

Group B6: Ukraine, Israel, Armenia.

It is worth noting that the Ukraine WU-19 team finished last in their second-round group in this year's European Championship and was relegated to League B. Following the draw for the first round, Nataliya Ihnatovych's team has been placed in Group B6, where they will face Israel and Armenia.

League A

League A will feature 28 teams, including seven teams promoted from League B following the second round of the 2023/2024 season, which concluded this spring. The teams have been divided into seven groups. The teams within each group will compete at a single venue in a mini-tournament format.

Teams that finish fourth in their groups will continue their season in League B's second round. Seeding for the second round will depend on the teams' rankings in the first round. Poland will also participate in the mini-tournament, although they are guaranteed a place in the finals as the host country.

League B

League B will consist of 23 teams, including those relegated from League A in the second round of the 2023/2024 season and Malta, which returns to the tournament after a one-year absence. Participants will compete for promotion to League A in six groups. Group winners and the best runner-up based on matches against the first and third teams in their groups will move to the higher division.

Advancement to the Finals

Seven teams from League A's second round will join Poland in the final stage of EURO 2025.