Today, on February 21 in Durres at the «Niko Dojani» stadium, the women's national team of Ukraine will play their opening match of the 2025 Nations League against Albania.

Before starting the tournament in Turkey, a training camp took place under the leadership of interim head coach Volodymyr Pyatenko. Twenty-four players prepared for the competition.

Photo: Dan Balashov

«Although the Albanian team significantly yields to Ukraine in ranking, they must be taken seriously. The opponents are also progressing — mainly because they increasingly receive invitations to play abroad. This is where the core of their squad consists of players who defend the colors of clubs from Italy, Norway, Kosovo, Finland, Northern Ireland, Turkey, and Switzerland.

We have already thoroughly analyzed the actions of Albanian women in recent official matches — against Norway, Estonia, and Romania. It was noticeable that despite the level of preparation of their opponents, they adhered to one tactical scheme, 4-2-3-1.

They are quick, unyielding in individual duels, and have well-rehearsed combinations when transitioning from defense to attack. This is a tough opponent. In terms of playing style, the Albanian team reminds me of Greece's national team, with whom Ukrainian women often had to settle accounts. I hope that accumulated experience will also come in handy», — said head coach of Ukraine's women's national team Volodymyr Pyatenko.

The live broadcast of the match Albania vs. Ukraine on YouTube channel UAF will start today at 19:00.

Composition of Ukraine's women's national team

Goalkeepers: Kateryna Samson («Vorskla» Poltava), Daria Kelyushyk («Kolos» Kovalevka), Darina Bondarchuk («Metalist 1925» Kharkiv).

Defenders: Kateryna Korsun, Yana Kotyk, Iryna Podolska, Marina Shaynyuk (all — «Vorskla» Poltava), Daria Apanaschenko, Olga Basanska (both — «Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Lyubov Shmatko, Yana Derkach (both — «Fomget», Turkey).

Midfielders: Veronika Andrukhiv, Dayana Semkiv (both — «Kolos» Kovalevka), Yana Kalinina («Vorskla» Poltava), Tamila Khymych, Viktoriya Hryhin, Yulia Shevchuk, Natiya Pansulaia, Anna Petrik (all — «Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Nikole Kozlova («Glasgow City», Scotland), Yana Malakhova («Mur Muran», Slovenia).

Forwards: Roksolana Kravchuk («Vorskla» Poltava), Olga Ovdychuk («Fomget», Turkey), Inna Hlushchenko («Lille», France).

Schedule of matches in Group V4 of the Women's Nations League 2025

February 21. Albania — Ukraine

February 21. Croatia — Czech Republic

February 25. Ukraine — Croatia

February 25. Czech Republic — Albania

April 4. Ukraine — Czech Republic

April 4. Albania — Croatia

April 8. Czech Republic — Ukraine

April 8. Croatia — Albania

May 30. Ukraine — Albania

May 30. Czech Republic — Croatia

June 3. Croatia — Ukraine

June 3. Albania — Czech Republic

League A

Group 1: Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Scotland.

Group 2: France, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland.

Group 3: Spain, England, Belgium, Portugal.

Group 4: Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Wales.  

League B

Group 1: Poland, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania.

Group 2: Ireland, Turkey, Slovenia, Greece.

Group 3: Finland, Serbia, Hungary, Belarus. 

Group 4: Czech Republic, Ukraine, Croatia, Albania.  

League C

Group 1: Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova, Gibraltar.

Group 2: Malta, Georgia, Cyprus, Andorra. 

Group 3: Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Kazakhstan, Vatican City.

Group 4: Azerbaijan, Montenegro, Lithuania. 

Group 5: Israel, Bulgaria, Estonia.

Group 6: Kosovo, Latvia, North Macedonia.                           

The group stage will determine which four teams from League A advance to the final round (which now consists of two-legged playoffs), as well as who will be promoted or relegated between leagues ahead of the European qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Winners of groups in Leagues B and C will move up to Leagues A and B, respectively. The bottom teams from Leagues A and B, as well as two worst third-placed teams from League B, will be relegated to Leagues B and C accordingly. Third-place teams from League A will play against second-place teams from League B in the playoffs, while the two best third-place teams from League B will face off against the top two teams from League C.

Final Round

Drawing: June 6, 2025 (date to be confirmed).

Semifinals (two matches each): October 22-28, 2025.

Final/Third Place Match (two matches each): November 26 — December 2, 2025.

Play-off for Promotion and Relegation

Drawing: June 6, 2025 (date to be confirmed).

Matches (two each): October 22-28, 2025.