The head coach of Ukraine's U-21 national team, Ruslan Rotan, spoke with journalists after the match against Spain (2:2) at Euro 2023 (U-21):

— I congratulate the team on advancing to the quarter-finals! We deserve it. Today's game confirmed that we are on the right path. Right now in the dressing room, there is silence, but I told the boys: if two years ago, when we were assembling the team, someone had said we would play at least evenly with Spain, no one would have believed it. So I congratulate my players for this result and for a great game that was tough for me to watch. We worked hard to get here. A good match — both for the future and overall. I also congratulate our opponents on finishing first in the group; they have an excellent team. Our advancement we dedicate to our warriors at the front lines. We fought for all of Ukraine and showed this result for the entire country, for our soldiers.

— How do you feel when people speak so highly about your team and praise their game?

— First of all, it's very pleasant that experts say good things about our team and make many compliments. The boys have earned this. We worked towards this for two years as we moved toward the final stage, striving to improve our play. This is entirely due to the players' efforts. If you recall the beginning, journalists were talking about the team as a group that had never won anything, saying these footballers would not have a future. Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but something like this was happening. So I am very proud of my boys who showed themselves and who strive every day to improve their game.