Nataliya Ihnatovych: "I was confident we would be promoted via additional criteria"

03.12.2024 14:00

The Ukraine WU-19 team won their group following Round 1 of EURO 2025 qualifiers, outperforming Israel and hosts Armenia in the Armenian capital, Yerevan.

In an interview with the UAF official website, Ukraine's head coach Nataliya Ihnatovych shared her impressions of the competition in Armenia:

- We began against the hosts. Last year, we faced them as well, and they’ve visibly improved. Previously, this team focused heavily on defense and avoiding heavy losses, but now they are more confident in possession and attempt to combine their play. We had to work hard to tilt the game in our favor, winning 2:0. Interestingly, our second goal came in stoppage time, which, as it turned out later, was crucial for us.

- With only three teams in our group, securing first place early required a win against Israel...

- Our girls could have settled the game before halftime but missed four one-on-one chances with their goalkeeper. Israel, who left a good impression overall, unexpectedly scored early in the second half.

Thanks to the skilled play of our captain, Lidiya Zaborovets, we quickly regained control and equalized. Moreover, one of Israel’s key players was sent off, but playing with a numerical advantage didn’t bring us much benefit due to excessive nervousness. Ultimately, we had to settle for a 1:1 draw.

- Were there any concerns that Israel might achieve a dominant win over Armenia in the final round and overtake Ukraine on goal difference?

- No, I was confident Armenia wouldn’t concede too many goals. Playing at home, with fan support and more recovery time, they could hold their own. As expected, Israel won 2:0, which suited us perfectly. With identical records, the tie was broken by disciplinary points, and our team had a clear advantage there.

On December 6, the Ukraine WU-19 team will learn about its opponents for Round 2 of qualifiers, which will take place in spring 2025.

EURO 2025 (WU-19). Round 1. Group B6

November 26, 2024

Armenia - Ukraine - 0:2

November 29, 2024

Ukraine - Israel - 1:1

December 2, 2024

Israel - Armenia - 2:0

Standings

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.

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.