Today, June 3rd, the women's national team of Ukraine concluded the group stage of the Nations League with a guest match against Croatia. Despite the loss, the team led by Volodymyr Pyatenko secured first place in Group B and qualification to the A League.

The final match had symbolic significance: all tournament questions were settled in previous rounds. Throughout the group stage, blue-and-yellow twice defeated Albania (2:1, 2:1), overcame Czech Republic (1:0) and drew with them in extra time (1:1), as well as won the first meeting against Croatia — 2:1.

The concluding match was played in Karlovac, Croatia, against the local national team. Compared to the previous game against Albania, the coaching staff made seven changes in the starting lineup. Only four players kept their places on the field — Samson, Kotik, Andrukhiv and Kravchuk.

Photo: press service of the UAF

The opening exchange of attacks ended with an unexpected and goal-scoring solo run by Vrachyevich in the 11th minute. The Croatian player intercepted the ball near her own penalty area, ran half the pitch unimpeded, and delivered a precise shot from distance under the crossbar. Despite active attempts to equalize before halftime, Ukraine's players were unable to score.

In the beginning of the second half, the hosts doubled their lead. After a delivery from the right flank, Jivkovic took advantage of a deflection and scored with her knee from seven meters out.

Photo: press service of the UAF

On the 67th minute, blue-and-yellow were very close to reducing the deficit. Kravchuk on the right flank pushed back her opponent and crossed to the penalty spot where Ovdychuk shot low but the goalkeeper saved Ukraine's opponents.  On the 81st minute a corner kick from the left almost ended with a goal for Croatia: Kozlova shot nearly from the corner of the goal — the ball flew over the near crossbar!

Photo: press service of the UAF

Thus, despite all efforts by Ukraine's players, the hosts celebrated victory — 2:0. Nevertheless, regardless of the loss, the national team finishes first in the group and earns a ticket to the A League.

Women’s Nations League-2025 Group V4

Croatia — Ukraine — 2:0 (1:0)

Goals: Vrachyevich (11), Jivkovic (52).

Croatia: Bacic (c), Nervlka, Balog, Vrachyevich, Jivkovic (Loina, 75), Galic (Hardisha, 90+4), Orkic (Dulchic, 76), Spajic (Bakalac, 86), Mikulica, Rudelic, Chanec.

Coach: Nenad Grkan.

Ukraine: Samson (c), Shainyuk, Kotik (Korsun, 72), Olhova, Podolska, Girin (Ivkova, 58 ), Pantzulaia (Kalina, 72), Kozlova, Andrukhiv (Ovdychuk, 46), Kravchuk, Glushenko (Petrik, 46).

Coach: Volodymyr Pyatenko.

Referee: Debora Anex (Switzerland).

Yellow cards: Dulchic (88) — Petrik (90).

June 3rd. Karlovac. Stadium «Branco Chavlovec-Chavlek».

Albania — Czech Republic — 1:2

Final standings

Women’s Nations League-2025 Group V4

February 21. Albania — Ukraine — 1:2

February 21. Croatia — Czech Republic — 0:4

February 25. Ukraine — Croatia — 2:1

February 25. Czech Republic — Albania — 5:1

April 4. Ukraine — Czech Republic — 1:0

April 4. Albania — Croatia — 4:0

April 8. Czech Republic — Ukraine — 1:1

April 8. Croatia — Albania — 1:2

May 30. Ukraine — Albania — 2:1

May 30. Czech Republic — Croatia — 5:0

June 3. Croatia — Ukraine — 2:0

June 3. Albania — Czech Republic — 1:2

Nations League-2025 Women’s

League A

Group 1: Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Scotland.

Group 2: France, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland.

Group 3: Spain, England, Belgium, Portugal.

Group 4: Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Wales.  

League B

Group 1: Poland, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania.

Group 2: Ireland, Turkey, Slovenia, Greece.

Group 3: Finland, Serbia, Hungary, Belarus. 

Group 4: Czech Republic, Ukraine, Croatia, Albania.  

League C

Group 1: Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova, Gibraltar.

Group 2: Malta, Georgia, Cyprus, Andorra. 

Group 3: Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Kazakhstan, San Marino.

Group 4: Azerbaijan, Montenegro, Lithuania. 

Group 5: Israel, Bulgaria, Estonia.

Group 6: Kosovo, Latvia, North Macedonia.                          

The group stage will determine which four teams from League A will advance to the final round (which now takes the form of two-legged ties), as well as who will be promoted and relegated between leagues ahead of the European qualifier for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Winners of groups in Leagues B and C will move up to Leagues A and B, respectively. The last-placed teams from Leagues A and B, as well as two worst third-place finishers in League B, will be relegated to Leagues B and C accordingly. Third-place teams in League A will play against second-place teams in League B, while the two best third-place teams in League B will face off against the top two second-place teams in League C.

Final Round

Drawing: June 6, 2025 (14:00 Kyiv time).

Semifinals (two matches): October 22-28, 2025.

Final/3rd place match (two matches): November 26 — December 2, 2025.

Promotion/relegation playoffs

Drawing: June 6, 2025 (14:00 Kyiv time).

Matches (two): October 22-28, 2025.