Countdown to the first of two October matches for Ukraine's national team in the Euro 2024 qualifying round against North Macedonia has begun, with only three days remaining.

After the weather unexpectedly improved, the trend towards spring-like warmth continues in October: today, temperatures in Prague rose to 24 degrees Celsius. As a result, the fitness training originally scheduled for the gym was moved outdoors.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

On the upper floor of the hotel where Ukraine's team is staying, there is a football field slightly smaller than standard dimensions. It was here that fitness trainer Vitaliy Kuliba conducted stretching exercises and offered muscle relaxation routines for the players. On their way to the upper field, the boys encountered an unexpected mode of transport: a 1.5-minute funicular ride connecting two hotel buildings, which made for quite a pleasant attraction during training days.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

As for the fitness session, while it took place under pleasant sunshine and required significant effort from the boys, it will have a positive impact on their bodies. Although they had to push themselves a bit, friendly jokes and mutual support made an impression: everyone left with smiles.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

In the evening, all 26 players present in camp took to the field at a stadium in Prague's Strahov district. Only Denys Popov continues individual training on the pitch; his recovery progress is positive. The rest of the boys started their training with a run and warm-up exercises, followed by work on game structure, tactical drills, and passing skills. Combined with daily tactical sessions, this targeted preparation for the specific opponent is underway.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

Ukraine National Team Roster

Goalkeepers: Georgiy Bushchan («Dynamo» Kyiv), Anatoliy Trubin («Benfica» Lisbon, Portugal), Dmytro Ryznyk («Shakhtar» Donetsk).

Defenders: Mykhailo Matviienko, Yurym Konoplyan (both — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Denys Popov, Oleksandr Karavaev (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv), Oleksandr Zabarnyi («Bournemouth», England), Vitaliy Mykolenko («Everton» Liverpool, England), Serhiy Krivoschok («Inter Miami», USA), Bohdan Mikhaylichenko («Dynamo» Zagreb, Croatia).

Midfielders: Vitaliy Buyalskyi («Dynamo» Kyiv), Taras Stepanenko, Oleksandr Zubkov, Georgiy Sudakov, Yegor Nazarina (all — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Oleksandr Pichalnyk («Dnipro-1» Dnipropetrovsk), Oleksandr Zinchenko («Arsenal» London, England), Mykhailo Mudryk («Chelsea» London, England), Serhiy Sydorchuk («Westerlo», Belgium), Ruslan Malinovskiy («Genoa» Genoa, Italy).

Forwards: Roman Yaremchuk («Valencia», Spain), Artem Dovbyk («Girona», Spain), Vladyslav Vanat («Dynamo» Kyiv), Nazariy Rusyn («Sunderland», England).

In reserve: Oleksandr Timchik («Dynamo» Kyiv).

Oleksandr Hlyvinskyi, press secretary of Ukraine's national team