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Ruslan Rotan: "Very much want to finish the group tournament on a major note" Translated more naturally: Ruslan Rotan: "Really want to end the group stage on a high note"

Ruslan Rotan: "Very much want to finish the group tournament on a major note" Translated more naturally: Ruslan Rotan: "Really want to end the group stage on a high note"

12 June 2022, 11:00

The day before the Euro-2023 (U-21) qualifying match against Armenia, which will start today at 6:00 PM Kyiv time at the Yerevan Football Academy Stadium, Ukraine's U-21 national team head coach Rusan Rotan responded to questions from the UAF press service. — Ruslana Petrovych, how will you set up the team for a game that has no tournament significance? — We discussed this topic with the boys.

Ruslan Rotan: "Very much want to finish the group tournament on a major note"

Translated more naturally:
Ruslan Rotan: "Really want to end the group stage on a high note"

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The day before the Euro 2023 (U-21) qualifying match against Armenia, which will start today at 6 PM Kyiv time on the Yerevan Football Academy stadium, head coach of Ukraine's youth team Ruslan Rotan answered questions from the UAF press service.

— Mr. Rotan, how will you set up your team for a match that has no tournament significance?

— We discussed this topic with the boys. And everyone concluded that the result of our upcoming game is important to us because Ukraine's national team awaits playoff matches, so we very much want to conclude the group stage on a high note and also show quality football, which we always strive for.

Every victory by any Ukrainian team is support for our soldiers. One of our players' brothers is at the front line. The boys watched some of our matches under very difficult conditions. They are worried, and we worry about Ukrainian fighters. And hopefully positive results on the international stage will boost their morale.

— Should we expect a large-scale rotation in the blue-and-yellow squad?

— Yes. Our games take place every two days, so many boys feel tired. But this does not mean that we have first and second teams. Today's lineup will be the one capable of fulfilling our task.

— Have you had time to analyze the previous match against France — or were you more focused on preparing for the game with Armenia?

— We have very little time right now to make conclusions. We had a difficult flight to Yerevan, recovery, so our thoughts are only about tomorrow's match.

— You mentioned that the French gave their jerseys to our team...

— Yes. We distributed them among the boys, and they send these gifts for charity to support the Ukrainian army.

— The match against Armenia is very important for you as you've already said. Still, are you starting to look at potential playoff opponents?

— We're aware of the situation but don't want to focus on it yet. Whoever we face in the playoffs, we need to win.

Euro 2023 (U-21). Qualifying tournament. Group H

June 12, 2022

Armenia — Ukraine

Standings

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

Current standings of other teams (as of June 11, 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. Norway	A	7	5	0	2	16—10	15
7. Denmark	I	7	4	2	1	9—4	14
8. Israel	B	8	4	1	3	13—10	13
9. Iceland	D	8	3	3	2	13—7	12

Playoffs: September 20-27, 2022.

Final tournament: June/July 2023.

Matches of the tournament involving sixteen teams will be held on 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 played in Georgia.