Nataliya Ihnatovych: "We tested a new tactical formation in friendlies"

12.09.2024 16:00

The Ukraine WU-19 women’s team held a week-long training camp in Ternopil, which included two friendlies against the Ukraine WU-17 women's team.

Head coach of the WU-19 team, Nataliya Ihnatovych, shared her thoughts on whether the goals of the September preparation phase were met in an interview with the UAF's official website.

— This camp started our preparations for the EURO 2025 qualifiers. We had excellent conditions in Ternopil, and the girls were particularly pleased with the state of the pitch at the Roman Shukhevych City Stadium. Training and playing there was a real pleasure.

— Were all the top players in this age group available for you?

— Yes, those representing Ukrainian clubs were. We decided not to call up Anastasiya Myhal and Yevheniya Bielova, who play in Hungary and Switzerland respectively, as we already know their abilities. Instead, we invited two other players for assessment — Anna Klymova and Angelina-Mariya Shalamay, both playing in Poland. Now I have a complete understanding of each player's capabilities.

— You played two friendly matches in Ternopil against the WU-17 team, winning by narrow margins — 2:1 and 3:2...

— For me, the results were not the priority. We focused on implementing a new tactical formation with two holding midfielders and a strong attacking group, where we have quick wingers. Not everything worked out as I would have liked, but gradually the girls found their rhythm.

— Have you decided on a captain?

— Yes, it's Lidiya Zaborovets from Shakhtar. She’s a leader.

— Who assisted you during the preparation in Ternopil?

— Oleksandr Dudnyk, Volodymyr Levchuk, and Dmytro Shutkov, who was responsible for preparing the goalkeepers.

— When do you plan to gather the team again?

— Our group-stage matches will take place at the end of November in Armenia. I hope we can hold another camp before then and play a friendly match. We need match practice badly.

Ukraine WU-19 Team Roster:

Goalkeepers: Viktoriya Kalinchuk (Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih), Svitlana Snihur (Polissya Zhytomyr).

Defenders: Yelyzaveta Maslovska, Viktoriya Shevtsova (both Shakhtar Donetsk), Mariya Ihnatenko, Diana Tkachuk (both Ladomyr Volodymyr), Anastasiya Yaremchuk (Polissya Zhytomyr).

Midfielders: Lidiya Zaborovets (Shakhtar Donetsk), Olena Martsenyuk, Diana Borovska (both EMS-Podillya Vinnytsia), Anastasiya Tarasenko (Ladomyr Volodymyr), Anastasiya Stakhnyuk, Anastasiya Zhyhadlo (both Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih), Anna Klymova, Angelina-Mariya Shalamai (both KU AZS, Poland).

Forwards: Veronika Holovanchuk (Obolon Kyiv), Anastasiya Lyakhovych (Shakhtar Donetsk), Sabina Azizova, Varvara Kozlyuk (both Polissya Zhytomyr), Maryna Ptytsyna (SeaSters Odesa).

The Ukraine WU-19 women's team is preparing for the first round of the EURO 2025 (WU-19) Qualifiers, where they will compete in Group B6 against teams from Israel and Armenia.

The matches in this group will be hosted by Armenia at the end of November. On the 26th, the team will play against the hosts, and on the 29th, they will face the Israeli team. To advance, the team needs to either finish first in the group or be one of the best second-place teams among the six groups.

League A

League A will feature 28 teams, including seven teams promoted from League B following round 2 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 round 2. Seeding for round 2 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 round 2 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.

EURO 2025 (WU-19). Round 1

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, Turkiye.

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.