The Ukrainian youth team (players born in 2004 or later) failed to qualify for the Euro-2023 (U-19) elite round, losing all their group matches against Luxembourg (1:2), Denmark (1:2) and Spain (0:4). The head coach of the blue-and-yellow team, Serhiy Nagornyak, explained the reasons for this result to the official website of the Ukrainian Football Association.

"There is no result, and I am responsible as a coach," said Nagornyak. "However, there were also objective reasons. The team traveled 36 hours to Spain, where we had only one training session. Of course, this affects the outcome, regardless of the level of the opponent. Additionally, injuries to key players who could not attend were significant for us. Despite this, I am grateful to my players who tried their best."

For example, in the first match against Luxembourg, it was clear that from around the middle of the first half, the boys began to struggle. In the second game against Denmark, I believe the score did not reflect the play; unfortunately, Ukraine's team was unlucky. The match against Spain is hard to comment on. By the 6th minute, we were already losing — 0:2. Everything was against us in this encounter. We must admit that the Spanish team was stronger than ours. I generally believe that Spain will be one of the main contenders for victory at the European Championship.

Euro-2023 (U-19). Elite round qualification. Group 3

March 22, 2023

Ukraine — Luxembourg — 1:2

Denmark — Spain — 0:0

March 25, 2023

Ukraine — Denmark — 1:2

Spain — Luxembourg — 4:0

March 28, 2023

Spain — Ukraine — 4:0 

Luxembourg — Denmark — 1:4

Final standings

The winners of seven groups in the elite round qualification will advance to the final tournament of Euro-2023 (U-19), which will take place from July 3 to July 16 this year on Malta.