On October 12, the national women's team of Ukraine started a training camp in the Polish city of Miedzyzdroje ahead of their group stage matches for the qualification round of Euro-2023. The comments from the head coach of the blue and yellow team, Oleg Shaytanov, regarding the preparation of the team are provided by the press service of the Ukrainian Futsal Association.

— Four days have passed since the start of the training camp in Miedzyzdroje. Tell us how the team has been doing and what's next.

— The team is currently working on a two-part schedule. From the very first session, I noticed positive moments because I saw that the girls arrived in playing condition. We've gathered around this time before, and I can say that previously there was a feeling of lack of playing tone among the futsal players. Now they are performing in their clubs, gaining important experience in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian championships. Undoubtedly, this is a positive moment. In general, over the next two days we have two training sessions scheduled, after which we will depart for Poznan where all matches of the Euro-2023 qualification round group stage will take place.

— 14 out of 15 called-up players represent championships in other countries. How difficult is it to assemble a team under these conditions?

— Of course, from a logistical point of view, gathering the girls has become more challenging. However, considering that those who join the national squad come from top leagues where they have already completed several rounds (as I mentioned above, they are in playing condition thanks to practice in strong championships), it's better to have this main advantage rather than certain functional shortcomings of players.

— How would you characterize the future opponents in group stage matches — teams from the Netherlands, Croatia, and Poland?

— The opponents in our group are equal, so I believe that everything depends on us. The more motivated and well-prepared the team is, the greater the chances of success.

— Among these national teams, we only played friendly matches with Poland. What memories do you have about those games from a long time ago?

— Indeed, the matches were extremely challenging. We didn't manage everything well. Yes, we won, but we had plenty of problems. The upcoming match will take place on their home court, which will add to their strength. However, I repeat that all opponents are approximately equal in class. We'll move from game to game.

— This time the team's roster for group stage matches of Euro qualification consists of 14 players, two more than in previous tournaments. How important is this for the coach?

— Of course, having more players on your team's roster is better. I consider this aspect positive. Matches can unfold differently, so from a tournament strategy point of view, it's better to have a longer list of futsal players you can rely on.

— Considering the preparation schedule for the matches, can you say that the Euro-2022 final four and the training camp before it became part of the preparation for the main round of Euro-2023 qualification?

— Indeed, we prepared extensively for the Euro-2022 Final Four. Of course, this is an incredible experience. However, it's time to turn the page on that "bronze" chapter. For the women's national team of Ukraine, the upcoming tournament is a new challenge. So we start everything from scratch.

Composition of the Women's National Team of Ukraine in Futsal

Goalkeepers — Anastasiia Tereshenko ("Inter Nacional", Portugal), Viktoriia Kislava ("Torreblanca", Spain), Nataliia Mytrofanova ("Deporivo Cordoba", Spain); field players — Sofia Ruban, Iryna Dubitska, Taisiya Babenko (all — "Inter Nacional", Portugal), Polina Drozd ("Guadalajara", Spain), Yulia Titova ("Italkavve Real Stadte", Italy), Khrystyna Stepanenko ("Viases Amaral", Spain), Yulia Forsyk, Kseniya Grytsenko (both — "Mostoles", Spain), Mariia Vaskovets, Oleksandra Skibina (both — "Hueventut", Spain), Snizhana Volovenko ("Atletico Navalcarnero-V", Spain), Aliona Kyrilchuk (unattached).

The final part of the Euro-2023 Futsal Championship among women, featuring four teams, is scheduled for March 2023. The qualification cycle will consist of two stages as before. The preliminary round took place from May 10—14, and the main stage with participation of sixteen strongest teams will take place on October 19—22. Four group winners will advance to the final part.

The women's national team of Ukraine in futsal will start its journey from the main round, where their opponents in Group 2 will be Poland, Croatia, and the Netherlands, who won Group A in the preliminary round. It should be noted that Ukraine was originally supposed to host the mini-tournament, but due to Russian aggression, UEFA moved the matches of this quartet to Poland.

Euro-2023 Futsal Championship among Women. Main Round. Group 2

19.10.2022

Croatia — Poland (17.00)

Ukraine — Netherlands (20.00)

20.10.2022

Croatia — Ukraine (17.00)

Poland — Netherlands (20.00)

22.10.2022

Netherlands — Croatia (17.00)

Poland — Ukraine (20.00)

Match times are in Kyiv time.

Euro-2023 Futsal Championship among Women. Main Round

Group 1: Spain, Finland*, Sweden, Belgium.

Group 2: Ukraine, Poland*, Croatia, Netherlands.

Group 3: Portugal*, Italy, Belarus, Slovenia.

Group 4: Hungary, Czech Republic*, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

* — hosts of mini-tournaments.

We remind you that the women's national team of Ukraine in futsal became a bronze medalist of the final tournament Euro-2022, which took place from July 1—3 in Portugal.