After a brief training camp in Lviv, the newly assembled Ukrainian WU-16 squad, consisting of players born between 2008 and 2009, headed to Hadzici, Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the UEFA Development Tournament.

Facing the host nation and their counterparts from North Macedonia and Slovenia, each team will play three matches. Victories earn three points, with draws leading to penalty shootouts for two points to the winner and one point to the losing side.

The opening match against Slovenia was postponed to April 18 due to adverse weather conditions. In today's match, the teams exchanged goals late in the first half, with Karina Lespukh scoring for the Ukrainian side.

In the second half, Milena Ivanchenko converted a penalty to regain Ukraine's lead, and a late goal from Lespukh sealed a 3:1 victory. Goalkeeper Anna Kharchenko also made a crucial penalty save.

The Ukrainian girls will face North Macedonia in their next match on April 20.

UEFA Development Tournament among women's teams WU-16

April 18, 2024

Ukraine (WU-16) vs Slovenia (WU-16) — 3:1 (1:1)

Goals: Lespukh (40, 90+4), Ivanchenko (56, penalty) — (42, own goal).

In the 90+5th minute, Osolnik (S) missed a penalty (goalkeeper).

Ukraine (WU-16): Kharchenko, Bielkina, Derevyanko (Ivashko, 80), Osadcha, Derkach, Ivanchenko, Kuptsova (Ruban, 56, Kuts, 89), Oliynychenko (Kushnir, 80), Kazina, Zhukova (Pipchenko, 46), Lespukh.

Slovenia (WU-16): Stoshich, Kavash, Yakopich (Lukezhich, 46), Lesiak, Osolnik, Shrot (Pevnik, 78), Shkrobar, Pshenichnik, Zhagar (Shernek, 59), L. Novoselets (Slapnik, 46), Kure (Sh. Novoselets, 46).

Yellow cards: Shkrobar (37), Sh. Novoselets (65).

Red card: Sh. Novoselets (85, S).

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs North Macedonia — 3:0

April 20, 2024

Ukraine vs North Macedonia (12:00)

Slovenia vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (15:00)

April 22, 2024

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Ukraine (11:00)

Slovenia vs North Macedonia (13:00)

All match times are in Kyiv time.

Let's recall that the Ukrainian women's national team WU-17 participated in the second round of the UEFA European Championship 2024 qualifiers in March. Our players finished last in their group and were relegated to League B.