Ruslan Rotan: "We played on equal terms with the best national team in Europe"
— Mr. Rotsan, are you satisfied with the result and the play of your team against France? — Of course not with the result.
Photo by the press service of the UAF
After the Euro 2023 (U-21) qualifying match against France (3:3), head coach of Ukraine's youth team, Ruslan Rotan, answered questions from the UAF press service.
— Mr. Rotan, are you satisfied with the result and your team’s performance against France?
— Of course not. You would see the players' eyes after the game. The team gave everything they had. We really wanted to win. In the current situation of our football, I believe my wards demonstrated meaningful football and showed character.
— It's noticeable that our "youth" has improved in physical fitness...
— Agreed. At the training camp, we didn't overload the boys, focusing mainly on sprints and tactics, which is why we see these results.
— Were you surprised by the French team, and what couldn’t be achieved in the previous match?
— According to all statistical data, France is the number one team in Europe among youth national teams. But I am glad for my wards who played on equal footing with players of Champions League level, and sometimes even surpassed them. In the dressing room, I asked my boys not to lower their standards.
— After the match, representatives from the French national team came into your locker room. What did they say?
— They expressed support for all of Ukraine, assured us that France is going through this with us, and gifted us their team jerseys.
— Upcoming is the final match against Armenia. The chance to become the second-best team in the qualifying tournament has been lost. How will you prepare your team for this game?
— Again, now the main focus will be on recovery, there will definitely be rotation. And that the boys are professionals and will give their all to win, I have no doubt. The team aims to close off this qualifying cycle with meaningful play and maximum results.
— Will the match against Armenia serve as a bridge to the playoff qualification?
— Absolutely correct. As I've already said, there will be rotation, we'll see how the nearest reserve performs...
Euro 2023 (U-21). Qualifying Tournament. Group H
Standings Table
Team |
M |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
GD |
1. France |
10 |
8 |
2 |
0 |
31—5 |
26 |
2. Ukraine |
9 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
18—11 |
20 |
3. Serbia |
10 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
10—11 |
12 |
4. Faroe Islands |
10 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
6—12 |
10 |
5. North Macedonia |
10 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
8—15 |
9 |
6. Armenia |
9 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
7—26 |
3 |
June 12, 2022
Armenia — Ukraine
Current standings of second-placed teams (as of June 9, 2022)
Team |
Group |
M |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
GD |
1. Switzerland |
E |
8 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
14—6 |
17 |
2. Ukraine |
H |
8 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
16—10 |
17 |
3. Czech Republic |
G |
8 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
13—6 |
16 |
4. Slovakia |
C |
8 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
18—10 |
15 |
5. Ireland |
F |
7 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
12—5 |
15 |
6. Denmark |
I |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
8—3 |
13 |
7. Finland |
A |
7 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
14—11 |
13 |
8. Israel |
B |
8 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
13—10 |
13 |
9. Greece |
D |
7 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
6—8 |
11 |
Play-offs: September 20-27, 2022.
Final Tournament: June/July 2023.
The tournament featuring sixteen national teams will be hosted by four stadiums in Romania (two — in Cluj-Napoca and two — in Bucharest) and four in Georgia (in Batumi, Poti and two — in Tbilisi). The opening match will take place in Romania, while the final will be held in Georgia.
Read also
Euro 2023 (U-21): Ukraine's youth national team played a night match against France and will participate in the playoff qualification stage
Ruslan Rotan: "After the match in France, our team changed in terms of approach, mentality, and psychology — and, I think, also in terms of play"
Euro 2023 (U-21): Ukraine's youth national team has a real chance to become the best second team (match against France live today at 19:45 on the UAF YouTube channel)