The Ukrainian youth team has departed for Spain, where they will play a friendly match against the local youth team as part of their preparation for the final stage of Euro-2025 (U-21).

Today, the Ukraine U-21 team will arrive in Alicante and check into a hotel. In the evening, coach Unai Melgosa has planned the first training session.

The friendly match between Spain (U-21) and Ukraine (U-21) will take place on June 6th at the "Santo Domingo Stadium" in Alcorcón, Spain.

Afterwards, the Ukrainian youth team will participate in the final tournament of Euro-2025 (U-21) in Slovakia, where they will play group matches against Denmark (June 12), Finland (June 15), and the Netherlands (June 18).

Before leaving Ukraine, players Illya Krups'kyi, Volodymyr Brachko, Vladyslav Velentyn, and Georgiy Yermakov shared their expectations with the press service of the Ukrainian Football Association.

Illya Krups'kyi (defender): "You always go to the national team with a sense of elevation because it's great to represent your country in such championships. We are well prepared for this cycle, we will prepare ourselves and play with determination during the group stage of Euro."

Volodymyr Brachko (halfback): "I want at least to repeat last year's success. Of course, it will be very difficult because there will be top teams from Europe gathered together. But we will do everything to achieve our goal. As for predictions, that is a rather specific matter. I probably won't take on that task."

Vladyslav Velentyn (halfback): "A very interesting tournament. It's always pleasant to play against strong opponents — top-level national teams. Only with them can you find out where you stand yourself."

Georgiy Yermakov (goalkeeper): "Competition is always good for the growth of each player. There's a champion of Ukraine, and another plays in La Liga. It will be nice to work with them. I think no matter how strong you feel inside yourself, you need to understand that this is sports and you have to progress step by step higher."

Composition of the Ukrainian youth team

Goalkeepers: Ruslan Nescheret («Dynamo» Kyiv), Georgiy Yermakov («Oleksandria»), Vladyslav Krapivcov («Girona», Spain).

Defenders: Arseniy Batagov («Trabzonspor», Turkey), Artem Smolyakov («Los Angeles», USA), Volodymyr Saluk («Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Eduard Kozik («Kolos» Kovalyovka), Vitaliy Roman, Roman Didyk (both — «Ruh» Lviv), Taras Mikhavko, Konstantin Vychcharenko (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv), Illya Krups'kyi («Vorskla» Poltava).

Halfbacks: Anton Tserenko («Lechia», Poland), Ivan Varfolomeev («Slovanski», Czech Republic), Vladyslav Velentyn («Kolos» Kovalyovka), Illya Kvashnitsya, Oleksandr Ocheretnyk (both — «Karpaty» Lviv), Nazar Voloshin, Valentyn Rubchinsky, Maxim Bragaru, Volodymyr Brachko (all — «Dynamo» Kyiv), Oleksandr Yatsyk («Zorya» Luhansk), Boris Kryshynskyi («Polska» Zhytomyr).

Forwards: Bohdan Vyunnyk («Lechia», Poland), Vladyslav Vanat («Dynamo» Kyiv).

Euro-2025 (U-21). Final tournament

Group stage

Group A: Slovakia, Spain, Italy, Romania.

Group B: Czech Republic, England, Germany, Slovenia.

Group C: Portugal, France, Poland, Georgia.

Group D: Finland, Netherlands, Ukraine, Denmark.

June 12, 2025

Ukraine — Denmark (Presov, 7:00 PM)

Finland — Netherlands (Kosice, 10:00 PM)

June 15, 2025

Finland — Ukraine (Kosice, 7:00 PM)

Netherlands — Denmark (Presov, 10:00 PM)

June 18, 2025

Denmark — Finland (Kosice, 7:00 PM)

Netherlands — Ukraine (Presov, 7:00 PM)

Quarter-finals

June 21, 2025

26. C1 — D2 (Zilina, 7:00 PM)

25. A1 — B2 (Trnava, 10:00 PM)

June 22, 2025

27. B1 — A2 (Dunajska Streda, 7:00 PM or 10:00 PM)

28. D1 — C2 (Presov, 7:00 PM or 10:00 PM)

Semifinals

June 25, 2025

29. Winner of match 25 — winner of match 26 (Bratislava, 7:00 PM or 10:00 PM)

30. Winner of match 27 — winner of match 28 (Kosice, 7:00 PM or 10:00 PM)

Final

June 28, 2025

Winner of match 29 — winner of match 30 (Bratislava, 10:00 PM)

All matches start at Kyiv time.