The year that has passed will go down in the history of Ukrainian football as one marked by full-scale war. Despite the ongoing military actions, Ukrainian players, coaches, and officials managed to bring many joyful moments to fans.So let's recall the most important events of 2022.

The Resumption of Ukraine's Championship Amid War

On February 24, 2022, full-scale Russian aggression began, and simultaneously, the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people against the aggressor. Just as our indomitable Ukraine stood firm, so did Ukrainian football.

Through joint efforts, in close cooperation between the UAF, UPL, PFL, clubs, and with the support of President Volodymyr Zelensky, football life in our country was revived. This includes matches for adult and youth (U-19) teams in the UPL, first and second leagues in the PFL, top and first leagues among women's teams, amateur competitions, and the DYYFL Cup.

Photo by the UAF press service

The High Standard of Kateryna Monzul

Kateryna Monzul secured second place in an IFFHS poll, which determined the best referees in the world for 2022 among women. She officiated matches in Ukraine's Vbet League, Euro-2022 for women, where she notably refereed the final between England and Germany, UEFA Nations League matches, Conference League games, World Cup qualifiers for women, Women’s Champions League, Serie A.

Photo by uefa.com

Successes of Beach Soccer Teams

In Catania on Sicily, the men's national team of Ukraine participated in a European qualifier for the 2023 World Games. By securing third place, blue-and-yellow secured their spot at the tournament in Bali, Indonesia. Additionally, under coach Mykola Kostenko’s guidance, they qualified for the 2023 European Games in Krakow by finishing fifth in EuroLiz-2022.

The women's national team of Ukraine also had a historic event this year—participation in the first-ever women’s World Cup, where they ultimately placed third. Like their male counterparts, under Yuri Klimenko’s guidance, they qualified for the 2023 World Games and finished fourth at EuroLiz-2022.

Photo by beachsoccer.com

Achievements of Young Futsal Players

At the second in history European Championship for futsal (U-19), the youth national team of Ukraine participated. In the final tournament, blue-and-yellow secured fourth place. Additionally, our team became runners-up at an international tournament in Poreč, Croatia, and won the Visegrad Cup 2022 in December.

Furthermore, in summer, the men's student national futsal team of Ukraine became a silver medalist at the World Cup-2022 in Portugal. And the women's national team from KhNU named after S.A. Kuznets secured silver medals at the European Championship for futsal among higher education institutions, which took place in Łódź, Poland.

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Ukrainian Futsal Women's Team — Bronze Medalists of Euro-2022

Due to the war, players of the women’s national futsal team of Ukraine were forced to continue their careers in foreign clubs and held a month-long training camp abroad before Euro-2022. At the tournament postponed due to Russian aggression to July in Gondomar, Portugal, blue-and-yellow secured historic bronze. Subsequently, under Oleg Shaytanov’s guidance, they qualified for third of three European championships among women, which will take place in Debrecen, Hungary next March.

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National Futsal Team — In the Top 4 Strongest Teams in Europe

On their sixth attempt, the national futsal team of Ukraine finally managed to overcome the quarter-final stage at European championships and secured fourth place at Euro-2022. In autumn, under Oleksandr Kosyenko’s guidance, they won the Three Nations Cup and also secured three victories in the main round of qualification for Euro 2024. Currently, blue-and-yellow confidently lead their group and have excellent chances to qualify for the elite round.

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Youth National Teams of Ukraine Qualify to Elite Round from First Place in Their Groups

In autumn, the teams under Yuri Moroz (U-17 team, players born in 2006) and Serhiy Nagornyak (U-19 team, players born in 2004) became winners of their groups in the main round qualification for Euro-2023. Moreover, Ukrainian boys qualified to the elite round despite a lack of playing practice due to Russian aggression.

Photo by the UAF press service

Youth National Team of Ukraine Reaches Euro-2023 (U-21)

Youth national team of Ukraine plays in the final tournament of the European Championship for the third time in its history! In their group, blue-and-yellow secured second place, only behind France, and then won a bright victory over Slovakia in the playoffs. The positive resolution of the tournament task speaks for itself, but it is also important that under Ruslan Rotan’s guidance, they demonstrated an interesting football rich with goals.

Photo by the UAF press service

Women's National Team as an Example of Support for Ukraine on the International Stage

After the start of full-scale Russian aggression, many players of our women’s national team were forced to move to foreign clubs but did not forget about supporting Ukraine by organizing actions and providing humanitarian aid.

For example, our girls supported the "Ukraine is Europe!" campaign, Nikol Kozlova helped organize a collection of humanitarian aid in Denmark, and head coach Luis Cortes did not remain indifferent. Players of the national women's team came out at matches of their foreign clubs with Ukrainian flags.

Photo by the UAF press service

National Team of Ukraine — Symbol of Our People's Struggle

Despite wartime, under Oleksandr Petrakov’s guidance, they managed to participate in official tournaments with wide international support. The national team of Ukraine played in the playoffs for Euro 2022 and UEFA Nations League-2022/2023 qualification. Blue-and-yellow also held charity matches to support the restoration of Ukraine and brought joy to people who, in turn, brought Ukrainian symbolism to stadiums, reminding us of our nation's will to win.

Photo by the UAF press service

Ukraine’s Bid for World Cup 2030

No less important today is preparing the bid to host the tournament jointly with Spain and Portugal. Ukraine has a chance for the first time in history to become the host of football's premier event on the planet. "We continue active cooperation in this direction with our Spanish and Portuguese colleagues," — noted one of the initiators of the bid, President of UAF, UEFA Executive Committee member Andriy Pavelko.

Photo by uefa.com