Oleksandr Kosienko: "It's good that both matches against Lithuania did not unfold according to the same script"

Head coach of Ukraine's futsal team Oleksandr Kosienko gave an interview summarizing the training camp in Lithuania.

Oleksandr Kosienko: "It's good that both matches against Lithuania did not unfold according to the same script"

AFU photo

During this gathering, the team won against the local squad twice — 7:0 and 5:3. The coach of the blue-and-yellow team commented on and compared both matches, reports AFF.

— The first match was perfect — 7:0, we played from start to finish. After that game, you prepared the team for today's tougher challenge. In the end, it turned out exactly like that — the scenario of the second encounter was completely different...

— In such back-to-back matches, there are many nuances. The team that lost prepares even more seriously for the next game than for the previous one. The team that won, no matter how much you prepare or push them, they still subconsciously believe it will be just like yesterday. That's human nature.

In my opinion, the first match was beneficial in terms of feeling our play on the ball when everything goes well. It wasn't easy, but we enjoyed playing and things worked out. The second meeting was different, but even more valuable for testing character. We showed character, tried to play the same game, stick to our line. Even before conceding a goal, we had moments where we didn't capitalize on opportunities, but we kept going, scored three goals, and turned it around.

With 3:1 in the second half, we had many excellent chances to score the fourth and fifth goals, which would have changed the course of the game. However, considering how Lithuania was prepared, anything could happen. But we didn't score — when you concede at 3:1, everything changes dramatically. We only had a one-goal lead left, while they felt it was close. Thankfully, at that moment, we didn't panic and remained calm. We scored what I consider to be a very beautiful goal. This is an extremely important psychological moment because we executed a fantastic combination play after which we defended well and scored the fifth. Yes, then they scored their third, but after our fifth goal, everyone understood it was over.

It's good that both matches didn't follow the same script. It's important that we played these games, tested the young players, and gave them a chance to experience the level of national teams. 

Let us remind you that by securing six wins in six qualifying matches for Euro-2026 in futsal, Ukraine's team secured their ticket to the final tournament, which will take place from January 20 to February 7 of next year on courts in Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia.

The draw for the final tournament is scheduled for October 24. During the ceremony at "Žalgiris Arena" in Kaunas, four groups of four teams will be formed. The top two teams from each quartet will then advance to the quarter-finals.

At Euro-2026, sixteen participants will compete: Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Spain, Portugal, France, Poland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Georgia, Hungary, and Italy.