Today, on November 19, the wards of Ruslan Rotan conducted their first Georgian sparring match. In Tbilisi, our team faced another participant in the final tournament of the European Youth Championship — Israel. Due to various reasons, the composition of the blue-and-yellow team was experimental.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Already in the 2nd minute, the Ukrainians took the lead — after a standard serve from the right flank, the ball flew to Kucheravyi, who powerfully shot into the near corner. The blue-and-yellow team had the initiative and later dangerously struck from the penalty line by Kashchuk.

Gradually, the Israelis managed to level the game and even mounted a small attack towards the end of the first half. At 45 minutes, our boys responded with an attack from the left flank with a pass under pressure in the center, but once again the goalkeeper saved them.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

After halftime, opponents of our team noticeably added, taking control of the game. The Israelis delivered several shots, including Mazal's header over the crossbar. Our team's situation worsened at 69 minutes when Kulakovskiy earned a direct red card for dangerous sliding tackle shortly after coming on as a substitute.

Almost immediately following the dismissal, opponents managed to score. On the 71st minute, Fesun failed to clear the ball and then fouled in the penalty area; Shahar converted the penalty kick. After this, the Israelis continued to press. So, at 84 minutes, after a flank cross, Buganym nearly scored into the top corner. However, the final score remained unchanged — 1:1.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Now, on November 21, our team will meet with Georgia's youth national team. The match will take place at Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium in Gori, which is about 60 km from the Georgian capital.

Friendship Match of Youth National Teams

Ukraine (U-21) — Israel (U-21) — 1:1 (1:0)

Goals: Kucheravyi (2) — Shahar (71, from the penalty).

Ukraine (U-21): Fesun, Roman (Kuzik, 19), Taloverov (c), Farina, Liah, Sapuga (Zhelizko, 68), Kucheravyi, Mikhailenko, Kashchuk, Goncharuk (Kulakovskiy, 68), Bragaru.

Reserves: Kinarekin, Tvardovskiy, Bunchukov, Yakuba, Sliusar.

Coach: Ruslan Rotan.

Israel (U-21): Keouf, Jabber (Madmoun, 81), Melamud, Cohen (c) (Lemkin, 65), Gandelman (Blorian, 65), Bar (Shalata, 81), Muzi (Hofmeister, 46), Mazal (Buganym, 65), Noa Itamar (Houry, 65), Hagag, Shahar (Gottlieb, 81).

Reserves: Nirron, Glicklich, Healf.

Referee: Goga Kikacheyshvili (Georgia).

Yellow cards: Gandelman (26), Cohen (51).

Red card: Kulakovskiy (69, U).

November 19. Tbilisi. Tbilisi Sea Technical Center Stadium.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

We add that according to the draw results for Euro 2023 (U-21), which took place on October 18, Ukraine was placed in Group B, where they will face Romania, Spain and Croatia. Our team will start their journey with a match against Croatia, scheduled for June 21 of next year in Bucharest, Romania.

Euro 2023 (U-21). Schedule

Group Stage

Group A: Georgia, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands.

June 21, 2023

Georgia — Portugal 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

Belgium — Netherlands 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

June 24, 2023

Georgia — Belgium 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

Portugal — Netherlands 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

June 27, 2023

Netherlands — Georgia 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

Portugal — Belgium 7:00 PM (Tbilisi)

Group B: Romania, Spain, Ukraine, Croatia.

June 21, 2023

Ukraine — Croatia 7:00 PM (Bucharest)

Romania — Spain 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

June 24, 2023

Romania — Ukraine 7:00 PM (Bucharest)

Spain — Croatia 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

June 27, 2023

Croatia — Romania 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

Spain — Ukraine 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

Group C: Czech Republic, England, Germany, Israel.

June 22, 2023

Czech Republic — England 7:00 PM (Batumi)

Germany — Israel 7:00 PM (Kutaisi)

June 25, 2023

Czech Republic — Germany 7:00 PM (Batumi)

England — Israel 7:00 PM (Kutaisi)

June 28, 2023

England — Germany 7:00 PM (Batumi)

Israel — Czech Republic 7:00 PM (Kutaisi)

Group D: Norway, Switzerland, France, Italy.

June 22, 2023

Norway — Switzerland 7:00 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

France — Italy 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

June 25, 2023

Switzerland — Italy 7:00 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Norway — France 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

June 28, 2023

Switzerland — France 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Italy — Norway 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Quarter-finals

July 1, 2023

A1 — C2 7:00 PM

B1 — D2 9:45 PM

July 2, 2023

C1 — A2 7:00 PM

D1 — B2 9:45 PM

Semifinals

July 5, 2023

Winner of Quarter-final 1 — Winner of Quarter-final 3 7:00 PM

Winner of Quarter-final 2 — Winner of Quarter-final 4 9:45 PM

Final

July 8, 2023

Winner of Semifinal 1 — Winner of Semifinal 2 7:00 PM

The start time of matches is given in Kyiv time.

Matches of the tournament involving sixteen national teams will be held on four stadiums in Romania (two — in Cluj-Napoca and two — in Bucharest) and four in Georgia (in Batumi, Kutaisi and two — in Tbilisi). The opening match will take place in Romania, while the final will be held in Georgia.

The three best teams of Euro 2023 (except France and England) will receive tickets for the 2024 Olympic Games.