Semi-defender of Ukraine's youth team Artem Bondarenko participated along with head coach Ruslan Rotan in a press conference ahead of the opening match of Euro-2023 (U-21) against Croatia, which will take place on June 21 in Bucharest (kickoff at 7 PM Kyiv time).

— What is the mood in the team? What are your expectations for tomorrow's game?

— I can confirm what the head coach said. We feel this pleasant nervousness because we understand how big a tournament this is, how much work we've done to get here, and how much we have dreamed of being part of it. I want to say that we are not going to be tourists but rather show decent football and hope for a respectable result.

— What motivates the players in the youth team?

— The main motivation is that we have room to progress. Getting into the senior national team is also a huge motivation.

— You had an excellent end to the season, now you are stepping onto the field with the captain's armband. It is said that some Italian clubs have shown interest in you. How do you handle this and does it add extra pressure?

— I think it motivates me even more because you know your work isn't going unnoticed. It's very pleasant to hear about the interest from such clubs. I'm really happy to be working hard. This tournament is a great showcase for any player.

Euro-2023 (U-21). Official roster of Ukraine's youth team for the tournament

Euro-2023 (U-21). Final tournament

Group stage

Group A: Georgia, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands.

21.06.2023

Georgia — Portugal 7 PM (Tbilisi)

Belgium — Netherlands 7 PM (Tbilisi)

24.06.2023

Georgia — Belgium 7 PM (Tbilisi)

Portugal — Netherlands 7 PM (Tbilisi)

27.06.2023

Netherlands — Georgia 7 PM (Tbilisi)

Portugal — Belgium 7 PM (Tbilisi)

Group B: Romania, Spain, Ukraine, Croatia.

21.06.2023

Ukraine — Croatia 7 PM (Bucharest)

Romania — Spain 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

24.06.2023

Romania — Ukraine 7 PM (Bucharest)

Spain — Croatia 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

27.06.2023

Croatia — Romania 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

Spain — Ukraine 9:45 PM (Bucharest)

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

22.06.2023

Czech Republic — England 7 PM (Batumi)

Germany — Israel 7 PM (Kutaisi)

25.06.2023

Czech Republic — Germany 7 PM (Batumi)

England — Israel 7 PM (Kutaisi)

28.06.2023

England — Germany 7 PM (Batumi)

Israel — Czech Republic 7 PM (Kutaisi)

Group D: Norway, Switzerland, France, Italy.

22.06.2023

Norway — Switzerland 7 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

France — Italy 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

25.06.2023

Switzerland — Italy 7 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Norway — France 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

28.06.2023

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

Italy — Norway 9:45 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Quarter-finals

01.07.2023

A1 — C2 7 PM (Tbilisi)

B1 — D2 10 PM (Bucharest)

02.07.2023

C1 — A2 7 PM (Kutaisi)

D1 — B2 10 PM (Cluj-Napoca)

Semifinals

05.07.2023

Winner of quarter-final 1 — winner of quarter-final 3 7 PM (Batumi)

Winner of quarter-final 2 — winner of quarter-final 4 10 PM (Bucharest)

Final

08.07.2023

Winner of semifinal 1 — winner of semifinal 2 7 PM (Batumi)

A potential playoff match for an Olympic qualification spot may take place on July 7th (10 PM) or July 8th (4 PM) in Bucharest.

Kickoff times are Kyiv time.