The Ukrainian youth team, led by Oleh Kuznetsov, missed the first half of 2023 entirely and only convened in October.

Ahead of their Euro-2024 (U-19) qualifying campaign, they participated in an international tournament in South Korea — the Seoul Cup, where they tested themselves against exotic opponents for a European team — South Korea, Vietnam, and Morocco. The matches were highly goal-filled, with our boys winning two.

And already in November, Ukrainian footballers born in 2005 began their journey to the final stage of Euro-2024 (U-19). They caused some anxiety after suffering a humiliating defeat in the second round against Kosovo — 0:4. However, for the final match against Slovakia, Kuznetsov's team gathered and secured a convincing victory with a score of 4:0.

In the elite round of qualifying, which will take place at the end of March 2024, Ukraine U-19 will face Switzerland, North Macedonia, and Latvia. The group winners will advance to the final stage of Euro.

All matches of the Ukrainian youth team U-18/19 in 2023

The team composed of players born in 2005 has played only 16 matches over the past three years (2021-2023). Over this period, a core group of players who have been with the team throughout this time has already formed — essentially Oleh Kuznetsov's backbone.

This includes 14 footballers: goalkeepers Vladyslav Kravets (8 matches) and David Fesyuk (6), defenders Nazar Balaba (11), Danylo Bilkon' (8), Oleksiy Kovalenko (2), Andriy Shevchenko (3), Serhiy Panchenko (5), Yevhen Mykytyuk (6), Vitaliy Mikhaylov (5), Bohdan Manuilov (3), Roman Salenko (3), Maxim Vasylets (3), Nazar Yanishyn (3), and Dmytro Hodya (3).

The team also includes midfielders Danylo Vashchenko (6), Yevhen Kreminin (6), Oleksiy Kovalenko (2), Serhiy Panchenko (5), Vitaliy Mikhaylov (5), Bohdan Manuilov (3), Roman Salenko (3), Maxim Vasylets (3), Nazar Yanishyn (3), and Dmytro Hodya (3).

The forwards are Matvii Ponomarenko (5), Serhiy Panchenko (5), Timur Tutyrev (3), Mykita Zen' (1), Oleksandr Pyschuhr (1).

Coach