Volodymyr Pyatenko: "We must not underestimate Turkiye's 12th player"

23.10.2024 16:30

Ukraine's women's national football team is finalizing preparations for the away match of the first round of the EURO 2025 qualifying playoffs against Turkiye, which will take place on October 25 in Istanbul.

The head coach of Ukraine’s women’s team, Volodymyr Pyatenko, shared the latest updates from the national team’s camp with the UAF’s official website:

- We’ve gathered in Antalya, Turkiye. Most of the squad traveled from Kyiv via Chișinău, and later the international players joined us for a short training camp before the test in Istanbul. There has only been one change in the Ukrainian delegation: goalkeeper Dariya Keliushyk from Kolos was replaced by Kateryna Boklach from French club Marseille due to injury.

- How would you assess the form of your players?

- We have an advantage over the Turkish team in this aspect, as our new season started earlier. Our players have already played 7-8 official matches, which is a positive. Now, during these few preparation days, it’s important to fine-tune our gameplay, as the team last gathered back in July. Of course, we hope to avoid any serious injuries.

- Do you have sufficient information about your upcoming opponents?

- We can't complain. We have thoroughly analyzed video footage of the Turkish team’s games. I also had in-depth discussions with our players who compete in the Turkish league. Interestingly, almost all of their national team players play domestically. We’re considering every detail, including the fact that we must not underestimate their 12th player — their vocal supporters. They’ll have strong crowd backing, and we’re preparing for that.

- When will the team travel from Antalya to Istanbul?

- On October 23, we had a training session in Antalya, and after lunch, we’ll head to Istanbul. On October 24, we’ll have a pre-match training session at the Esenler Stadium. Then we’ll focus on showing our best qualities and aiming for victory the next day.

Ukraine Women's National Team Roster

Goalkeepers: Kateryna Samson (Vorskla Poltava), Daryna Bondarchuk (Metalist 1925 Kharkiv), Kateryna Boklach (Marseille, France)

Defenders: Kateryna Korsun, Yana Kotyk, Iryna Podolskа (all - Vorskla Poltava), Olha Basanska, Lesya Olkhova (both - Metalist 1925 Kharkiv), Lyubov Shmatko (Fomget, Turkey).

Midfielders: Viktoriya Hiryn (Ladomyr Volodymyr), Veronika Andrukhiv, Dayana Semkiv (both - Kolos Kovalivka), Yana Kalinina (Vorskla Poltava), Yelyzaveta Molodyuk, Tamila Khimych, Yuliya Shevchuk, Darya Apanashchenko, Natiya Pantsulaya, Anna Petryk (all - Metalist 1925 Kharkiv), Nicole Kozlova (Glasgow City, Scotland).

Forwards: Roksolana Kravchuk (Vorskla Poltava), Olha Ovdiychuk (Fomget, Turkey), Inna Hlushchenko (Lille, France).

Women's EURO 2025 Qualifiers Play-Offs

First Round (October 23–29)

In one path, teams that finished third and fourth in League A will face the winners of the groups and the three best second-placed teams from League C. Eight winners will advance to the second round.

Romania vs. Poland

Greece vs. Belgium

Montenegro vs. Finland

Georgia vs. Ireland

Slovenia vs. Austria

Luxembourg vs. Sweden

Belarus vs. Czechia

Albania vs. Norway

In the other path, group winners (excluding Switzerland) and the three best second-placed teams from League B will play against the worst second-placed team, four third-placed teams, and the best fourth-placed team in League B. Six winners will advance to the second round.

Turkiye vs. Ukraine

Croatia vs. Northern Ireland

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Serbia

Azerbaijan vs. Portugal

Hungary vs. Scotland

Slovakia vs. Wales

Second Round (November 27 – December 3)

In the second play-off round, 14 teams will compete directly for seven spots in the EURO 2025 final tournament, which will feature 16 teams in total.

Azerbaijan/Portugal vs. Belarus/Czechia

Hungary/Scotland vs. Montenegro/Finland

Turkiye/Ukraine vs. Greece/Belgium

Slovakia/Wales vs. Georgia/Ireland

Romania/Poland vs. Slovenia/Austria

Croatia/Northern Ireland vs. Albania/Norway

Bosnia and Herzegovina/Serbia vs. Luxembourg/Sweden

The final tournament draw will take place on December 16.

Women's EURO 2025. Qualification Tournament. 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

Matchday 5

12.07.2024

Kosovo — Ukraine — 0:4

Croatia — Wales — 0:3

Matchday 6

16.07.2024

Ukraine — Croatia — 2:0

Wales — Kosovo — 2:0

Standings