The first day of the Ukrainian national team's gathering in Slovenia revealed the unpredictability of weather in a high-altitude location. In the morning, at the picturesque Brdo park, there was light rain, but later in the evening, sunshine broke through the clouds, making the first training session pleasant.

It is still premature to talk about full-fledged training sessions as only 11 players are currently present. One of them, Mykhailo Mudryk, is undergoing medical examinations after experiencing discomfort during a friendly match between Donetsk Shakhtar and Split Hajduk yesterday.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

Seven players arrived at Hotel Elegance late last night, and the first half of Monday was spent resting after a long journey. Four other players also arrived the day before, covering 800 km in one day.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

In the morning, the head coach and teammates congratulated Mykola Matviyenko on his birthday with a delicious chocolate cake. Another team member, Serhiy Sydorchuk, who will join the team in a few days, was greeted via messenger.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

The training center of the Football Association of Slovenia is located in a picturesque and culturally significant area. The national park impresses with its lakes, pine groves, clean air, and rich fauna. And Brdo Castle, situated just a few hundred meters from the football fields, serves as the main venue for official meetings of the President of Slovenia.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

So, early morning walks through the picturesque park were like a restorative elixir for the Ukrainians. The tranquility and peace of this place sharply contrasts with what is happening in Ukraine now; however, the players are constantly thinking about their people, realizing that their main purpose is to prepare for matches that can lift the spirits and morale of the entire Ukrainian nation.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

This was emphasized in the head coach Oleksandr Petrakov's first address at the Slovenian gathering. "From day one, keep this thought in your mind—we want to go to Qatar!" he stressed.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

Of the ten healthy players present, three are goalkeepers. After warming up and a run, goalkeeper coach Vyacheslav Kernozhenko focused on specific elements of goalkeeper skills with his charges—Andriy Pyatov, Anatoliy Trubin, and Dmytro Ryndyk.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

At the same time, seven field players—Taras Stepanenko, Mykola Matviyenko, Yurym Konoplyanka, Valeriy Bondar, Serhiy Bulhak, Oleksandr Pichalnyk, and Oleksii Hushchyn—underwent a tennis ball game in pairs with the help of fitness coach Vyacheslav Ruzhenets. This active movement will aid recovery from travel and also serve as a stepping stone for further physical work: players from Kyiv Dynamo will join the team in a few days, after which training sessions will take on their usual form. Today's session concluded with stretching exercises proposed by fitness trainer Ivan Bashthov.

The work brought satisfaction and a good mood, which the head coach of the blue-and-yellow kept up throughout. The long-awaited gathering has begun.

Oleksandr Hlyvinskyi, press secretary of the national team of Ukraine