The Ukraine U-21 national team is training at the National Training Center as part of their preparation for the final stage of Euro 2023 (U-21), during which they have scheduled two friendlies. The first, against Denmark, took place on March 24 in Belek, Turkey, and ended with a late victory for Ukraine — 3:2.

Now the Ukrainians have moved to southern Italy, where today they faced the Italian U-21 national team at the "Oreste Granillo" stadium in Reggio di Calabria. It should be noted that Ruslan Rotan was in charge of his players, having returned from the senior national team.

From the first minutes, the initiative was with the home side, especially when Faggio broke through into the penalty area. The only noteworthy action by the blue-and-yellow team was a wayward header by Vjunnik. On the 19th minute, Italy took the lead — Faggio delivered a corner kick from the right flank and Lovato headed it in. 1:0.

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In the middle of the first half, Kryskiv made a good pass to Kashchuk in the penalty area but was denied by the opposition. As halftime approached, the pace increased and the hosts had an excellent spell. Faggio took two dangerous free kicks, hitting the post once, while Neshcheret saved another attempt from our team's goal. Ukraine responded with a shot on target by Sikhan.

In added time Udodji broke into the penalty area and passed to Kan切尔斯基，继续翻译剩余的内容：

to Cannizzaro, who missed the target.

After halftime, the hosts continued to control possession. Neshcheret made a save from shots by Cannizzaro and Bove. On the 68th minute, Ukraine equalized — Vjunnik passed to Kashchuk who managed to break through opponents' defense with a shot from the right side past the goalkeeper.

However, soon after Italy regained their lead when our team was denied by Neshcheret and an offside trap, but on the third attempt, Kolombo scored. Shortly afterwards, the attacker of the Azzurri completed his brace with a finish from Oristanio's cross from the left flank. In summary, the hosts won — 3:1.

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Friendship Match between Youth National Teams

Italy (U-21) — Ukraine (U-21) — 3:1 (1:0)

Goals: Lovato (19), Kolombo (71, 82) — Kashchuk (68).

Italy (U-21): Turati, Occelli, Lovato, Pirozzese, Bellanova (Pierozzi, 77), Ricci (c), Udodji, Faggio, Bove (Fabbian, 77), Cannizzaro (Oristanio, 69), Kolombo (Mulattieri, 89).

Substitutes: Caprile, Sorrentino, Parisi, Viti, Espósito, Casadei, Dzapelli, Ruggeri, Baldanzi, Zanoli, Gallo, Carboni.

Coach: Paolo Nicolato.

Ukraine (U-21): Neshcheret, Liah, Taloverov (c), Batagov, Vycharenko, Mykhaylenko (Ochereyko, 69), Brazyko, Kashchuk (Khlan', 69), Kryskiv, Vjunnik (Nazarenko, 77), Sikhan (Kucharovich, 77).

Substitutes: Kinareykin, Fesun, Dydik, Zhelezko, Bilovar, Drambaev, Rubchynskyi, Bol', Roman, Bragaru.

Coach: Ruslan Rotan.

Referee: Krisovalantis Teulis (Cyprus).

Yellow cards: Batagov (18), Brazyko (88).

March 27, Reggio di Calabria. "Oreste Granillo" stadium.

As a reminder, this year the Ukraine U-21 national team will participate in the final tournament of Euro 2023 (U-21). In total, sixteen teams will take part in the forum that will be held from June 21 to July 8 in Georgia and Romania. According to the draw results which took place on October 18 last year in Bucharest, blue-and-yellow team ended up in Group B where they will face Romania, Spain, and Croatia. The top three teams at Euro 2023 (excluding France and England) will qualify for the Olympics of 2024.