Today in the Italian village of Colle di Val d'Elsa, Oleksandr Kuznetsov's team, with support from local diaspora, played their second match in the elite round qualifier for Euro-2022 (U-17).

Photo by press service of the UAF

As a reminder, in the first round of the Euro-2022 elite round qualifier, Ukraine's youth team (players born no later than 2005) defeated Kosovo (2:0), and today they faced Poland as group leaders.

Photo by press service of the UAF

Compared to the victorious match against Kosovo, head coach Oleksandr Kuznetsov made only two changes in his starting lineup. Perhaps, the actions of his wards satisfied him.

From the first minutes, Ukrainians seized the initiative; they fired more often at goal and delivered more corners. However, soon the Poles evened out the game. There was a lot of struggle. Once again, it must be noted that the lack of playing intensity among our boys was evident in their collective actions as well. One character wasn't enough in the first half. The Poles took advantage of dangerous moments and scored twice against Kravets before halftime.

With substitutions at halftime, Oleksandr Kuznetsov tried to change the course of events in the second half. Our team pushed forward, but on the 58th minute we conceded again. Nevertheless, Ukrainians didn't give up and almost immediately reduced the deficit thanks to a goal by Gusev. 1:3.

In the time remaining until the final whistle, blue-and-yellow looked sharper than their opponent. Kreminin, Gusev threatened the Polish goal, but the goalkeeper was up to the task. Nevertheless, a goal seemed inevitable, and on the 88th minute Zeny managed to score. 2:3. Ukrainians could have equalized, but luck wasn't on their side. And if we sum up the game, then the most logical score would be a draw.

As a reminder, to qualify for the final tournament it is necessary to finish first or second in the group (in the case of finishing second, you need to have no worse results than Hungary, which finished second in Group 1 with one gold point and a goal difference of -2).

In case of equal points within the group according to the regulations, head-to-head results are taken into account first. Considering the situation, Ukraine's team needs to take points in their final match against Italy and under certain circumstances consider the result of the Kosovo-Poland game.

Elite round qualifier for Euro-2022 (U-17)

Group 6

April 20, 2022

Kosovo — Ukraine — 0:2 

Italy — Poland — 1:0

April 23, 2022

Ukraine (U-17) — Poland (U-17) — 2:3 (0:2)

Goals: Gusev (61), Zeny (88) — Tkach (36), Smiglevsky (45+1), Slavinsky (58).

Ukraine (U-17): Kravets, Gusev, Sizonyuk, Balaba, Ogarkov (Bilokon', 46), Vaselec', Yanovich (c) (Derkach, 46), Matveichyk (Mikityuk, 64), Kreminin, Yanchishyn, Firman (Zeny, 46).

Poland (U-17): Michulko, Rychlik, Kurzidlovskyi, Tomaszewskyi (c), Magnuszewskyi, Lewiczkyi, Kalamba (Voitczyk, 73), Staniszewskyi, Smiglevskyi (Terleckyj, 64), Tkach (Drahal, 90+2), Slavinskyi (Doba, 73).

Yellow cards: Gusev (61), Derkach (75) — Rychlik (19), Tomaszewskyi (41), Lewiczkyi (56), Kurzidlovskyi (77).

Italy — Kosovo — 1:0

Standings

April 26, 2022

Ukraine — Italy  16.00

Poland — Kosovo  16.00

The final tournament will take place from May 16 to June 1 in Israel.

Final tournament of Euro-2022 (U-17)

Group A: Israel, Germany, winner of Group 6, Luxembourg.

Group B: France, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Hungary or second team from Group 6.

Group C: Serbia, Spain, Turkey, Belgium.

Group D: Denmark, Portugal, Scotland, Sweden.

The two best teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

Group stage

Round 1: May 16/17.

Round 2: May 19/20.

Round 3: May 22/23.

Quarter-finals: May 25/26.

Semifinals: May 29.

Final: June 1.