Today, September 8, Ukraine's youth national team, which is preparing for the start of Euro-2025 (U-21) qualification, played a friendly match against their German counterparts.

The game took place at the "Ludwigsparkstadion" in Saarbrücken and was the first for Una Melgarejo as head coach of the blue-and-yellow team. It's worth noting that the Spanish specialist now leads a revamped youth national team, comprising players born in 2002 or younger.

Photo by Thomas Becker/DFB

At the start of the match, the guests controlled the ball reasonably well, but over time, the Germans took control. The first dangerous moment was created by Knauff, who crossed from the flank and forced a save from Nescheret. Later, Sigeiev blocked Mukoko's cross-shot at the last second; Klein-Bekel and Rieu also made attempts on goal. Just before halftime, Beier outmaneuvered Nescheret but missed his shot, while Knauff later sent his attempt over the bar.

Photo by Thomas Becker/DFB

Our team couldn't manage to score a clear shot on goal. One can recall Voloshin's attempt, which the goalkeeper denied, and Brajkov's corner kick that went unanswered.

During halftime, both teams' coaches made almost complete substitutions. Ukraine conducted several decent attacks but without success. In contrast, the hosts opened the scoring in the 53rd minute – Voltameda intercepted the ball and passed to Beier inside the penalty area, who scored past Fesun.

Photo by Thomas Becker/DFB

Subsequently, the hosts earned a dangerous penalty but Nébel's shot went wide. The blue-and-yellow team struggled to play in the opponent's half of the field. Although Rubchynsky had a dangerous attempt from the edge of the box after a counterattack and later tested the goalkeeper with a long-range effort.

In the 88th minute, the Germans responded with a shot by Trésoldi, which Fesun saved. However, immediately afterward, the hosts seized control in midfield; Lemperle broke through into the penalty area and doubled his team's lead. In summary, Ukraine lost – 0:2.

Now, the blue-and-yellow team awaits a Euro-2025 (U-21) qualifier against Northern Ireland, which will take place on September 12 in Slovakia at the National Training Center of Poprad (kickoff at 7.30 PM Kyiv time).

Friendship Match Between Youth National Teams

Germany (U-21) — Ukraine (U-21) — 2:0 (0:0)

Goals: Beier (53), Lemperle (88).

Germany (U-21): Urbanig, Klein-Bekel (Wagner, 46), Gechter (Riedel, 46), Schmidt (Arrey-Mbi, 46), Knauff (Lemperle, 46), Martell (c) (Braightaupt, 46), Brown (Roth, 46), Rieu (Ziebert, 46), Gruda (Voltameda, 46), Beier (Nébel, 56), Mukoko (Trésoldi, 56).

Substitutes: Ernst, Gebhardt.

Coach: Antonio Di Salvo.

Ukraine (U-21): Nescheret (Fesun, 46), Roman (Skorko, 46), Saliuk (Bol, 46), Batagov (Slubik, 61), Smolyakov (Buleza, 46), Sigeiev (Yarmoluk, 46), Brajkov (c) (Pavlyk, 66), Losenko (Rubchynsky, 46), Tesliuk (Kvasnitsya, 46), Vyunnik (Krashypyr, 46), Voloshin (Bragaru, 46).

Substitute: Kinareykin.

Coach: Una Melgarejo.

Referee: Yasmin Sabotich (Luxembourg).

Yellow cards: Martell (35), Braightaupt (71), Riedel (81) — Brajkov (62), Bol (68).

Saarbrücken, September 8. "Ludwigsparkstadion".

Group Composition for Euro-2025 (U-21) Qualification Tournament

In the final stage of Euro-2025 (U-21), 16 teams will compete: Slovakia and another 15 national teams that join it based on qualification results (nine group winners, three best second-placed teams, and three playoff winners).

Group A: Italy, Ireland, Norway, Turkey, Latvia, San Marino.

Group B: Spain, Belgium, Scotland, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Malta.

Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Gibraltar.

Group D: Germany, Poland, Israel, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Estonia.

Group E: Romania, Switzerland, Finland, Albania, Montenegro, Armenia.

Group F: England, Ukraine, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg.

Group G: Portugal, Croatia, Greece, Belarus, Faroe Islands, Andorra.

Group H: France, Austria, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus.

Group I: Denmark, Czech Republic, Iceland, Wales, Lithuania.

Schedule of Group F Matches

07.09.2023

Northern Ireland — Luxembourg — 0:1

11.09.2023

Luxembourg — England

12.09.2023

Serbia — Azerbaijan

Ukraine — Northern Ireland

12.10.2023

Azerbaijan — Northern Ireland

Luxembourg — Ukraine

13.10.2023

England — Serbia

16.10.2023

Ukraine — England

Northern Ireland — Serbia

17.10.2023

Azerbaijan — Luxembourg

17.11.2023

Ukraine — Luxembourg

England — Northern Ireland

18.11.2023

Serbia — England

21.11.2023

Ukraine — Azerbaijan

England — Northern Ireland

Serbia — Luxembourg

22.03.2024

Luxembourg — Serbia

Azerbaijan — England

26.03.2024

England — Luxembourg

Azerbaijan — Ukraine

Serbia — Northern Ireland

06.09.2024

Luxembourg — Azerbaijan

Northern Ireland — England

Ukraine — Serbia

10.09.2024

Northern Ireland — Ukraine

Azerbaijan — Serbia

11.10.2024

England — Ukraine

12.10.2024

Northern Ireland — Azerbaijan

15.10.2024

Luxembourg — Northern Ireland

England — Azerbaijan

Serbia — Ukraine

Playoff: 11–19 November 2024.