Friendly matches against Slovakia and Romania on October 25th and 28th, respectively, mark the start of Ukraine's women’s national team preparation for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, which will begin in February next year.

Vladimir Pyatenko, head coach of Ukraine's women's national team, commented on the latest developments with the main squad on the official website of the Ukrainian Football Association:

— On October 18th in Trnava, a weekly training camp will begin ahead of the friendly match against Slovakia, which will take place in Senec, about 25 kilometers from Bratislava. However, we will only gather in full strength at the beginning of next week when the overseas players join us. A day after the match with Slovakia, we will relocate to Bucharest where we will face Romania.

— What can you say about these opponents?

— These teams are progressing and play well while allowing their rivals to do the same. They strive to cherish the ball and are dangerous in transition phases. Therefore, it will be interesting to observe their tactics on meeting grounds. I am convinced that these encounters will benefit us and provide valuable information.

— In the announced list of Ukrainian players for these October friendlies, a whole group of leading players is missing. Is this to look at the nearest reserve?

— No, due to various reasons, I cannot rely on 11 players from the main squad... The entire team. It's unfortunate that literally in the last moment, Elizaveta Molyduk and Viktoriya Hryin ended up in the infirmary.

— If we talk about injuries, how serious are they?

— Each of the absent players has her own story, for example, Tymila Khimich is recovering after a reconstruction of the cruciate ligament in her knee. By the way, I wish the girls to return as soon as possible.

— For the first time, goalkeeper Alina Savka from Vorzel and Svitlana Kogut (Kolos) were called up to the national team. Why did you pay attention to these players?

— They stand out in their clubs, strive for non-standard play, are always motivated, and have earned a chance to showcase themselves at the national level.

— How is your team's game experience?

— There's no reason to complain. They've already played enough calendar matches in their leagues, and representatives of our leading teams were involved in European cup battles. That's why there shouldn't be any problems with match fitness.

— Are the friendly matches against Slovakia and Romania the end of this year's schedule for Ukraine's national team?

— No, we still plan to conduct two more friendly matches at the end of November. The opponents are yet to be confirmed, but efforts are being made to ensure they are prominent European teams.

Squad of Ukraine's Women’s National Team

Goalkeepers: Kateryna Samson («Vorzel» Poltava), Daria Kelyushyk («Kolos» Kovalevka), Kateryna Boklach («Nantes», France).

Defenders: Solomiya Kupiyak («Kolos» Kovalevka), Kateryna Korsun, Alina Savka, Iryna Kotyash, Marina Shainiuk (all — «Vorzel» Poltava), Yana Kotyk, Olha Basanska (both — «Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Lyubov Shmatko («Fomget», Turkey).

Midfielders: Dayana Semkiv, Svitlana Kogut (both — «Kolos» Kovalevka), Natiya Panticulaia («Sisters» Odessa), Anna Petrik, Nadia Kunina, Lidiya Zaborovets (all — «Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Viktoriya Radionova («Vorzel» Poltava), Nicole Kozlova («Glasgow City», Scotland), Yana Malakhova («Mur», Slovenia).

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

The match between Slovakia and Ukraine will take place on October 25th in Senec at the eponymous stadium (kick-off — 6 PM Kyiv time). The game between Romania and Ukraine is scheduled for October 28th in Bucharest at the "Concordia K'yanja" Stadium (kick-off — 5:30 PM Kyiv time).