On Saturday, November 19, the blue-and-yellow team played their first of two scheduled friendly matches in Tbilisi against Israel — 1:1.

And today, November 21, in Gorі at Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium, which is 60 km from the Georgian capital, Ukraine played a friendly match against Georgia's youth team. Note that our opponent also participates in Euro-2023 (U-21) — as hosts.

The day before the match, Ruslan Rotan faced a difficult personnel situation. Among those who started in the game against Israel, only Liah and Kashchuk retained their places in the starting lineup.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The start of the match was even, with Gulyashvili scoring a shot on target for Georgia, while in our team Kachuk made an unsafe pass from outside the penalty area. However, gradually the hosts took control of the game, and there were many mistakes by Ukraine's players on their own half.

Thus, Kinarekin had to save our team after shots from Gagua, Nika Khordeli, and Gulyashvili; Mekhvabishvili scored a goal from a set piece over the crossbar, and the same Gulyashvili delivered another dangerous shot from outside the penalty area. Ukraine responded only with an inaccurate long-range attempt by Kulakovskiy.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

After halftime, our boys played much more disciplined and started creating opportunities near the opponents' goal. First, Kashchuk took advantage of a flank pass but couldn't beat Kutaladze. And on the 63rd minute, Ukraine went ahead — Kashchuk combined with Krasnopyor at the edge of the penalty area and scored from the right side.

However, soon after, Georgia equalized — Khvadagiani delivered a powerful long-range shot into the far corner. In the final minutes of the match, both teams had several chances but failed to change the scoreline. 1:1. This concluded the November training camp for Ruslan Rotan's players.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Friendship Match between Youth National Teams

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

Goals: Khvadagiani (70) — Kashchuk (63).

Georgia (U-21): Kutaladze, Gelashevili, Kalandadze, Khvadagiani, Azarovi, Mekhvabishvili (c), Gulyashvili (Poctxveria, 90+2), Gagua (N. Khordeli, 90+2), Maisuradze (Kapanadze, 74), N. Khordeli (Kvernadze, 58), Gagnidze (Mamageyshvili, 74).

Substitutes: Megrelishvili, Osikmashvili, Sigua, Lomtadze, Djindzolava.

Coach: Ramaz Swanadze.

Ukraine (U-21): Kinarekin (Tvardovskiy, 46), Kuzik (Farina, 79), Sliusar, Yakuba, Liah, Bunchukov (Mykhaylenko, 46), Zhelizko (c), Kulakovskiy (Sapuga, 66), Kashchuk, Krasnopyor (Goncharuk, 84), Siegeiev (Kucheravyi, 66).

Substitute: Fesyun.

Coach: Ruslan Rotan.

Referee: Irakli Kvirikashvili (Georgia).

21 November. Gorі. Tengiz Burjanadze 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 on June 21 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 9:00 PM

July 2, 2023

C1 — A2 7:00 PM

D1 — B2 9:00 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 9:00 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 of the tournament will take place in Romania, while the final will be held in Georgia.

The three best teams at Euro-2023 (excluding France and England) will receive tickets to the 2024 Olympics.