May 5, after morning training at a short-term camp in Ternopil, the Ukrainian women's national team WU-16 departed for Croatia via Poland to participate in the UEFA Development Tournament.

Head coach of the blue and yellow team, Lyudmila Lemeschko, commented on the official website of the UAF about recent news from the team's setup:

— This fall, our women’s national team will participate in the Euro-2026 (WU-17) qualifying round. And the UEFA Development Tournament is a great opportunity not only to gain game experience but also international exposure, as there will be representatives of different football schools among the participants.

— Are you satisfied with the preparation stage in Ternopil?

— There's no reason to complain. We accomplished everything we planned, including a two-sided game that helped us decide on the 20 players who would travel to Croatia. We decided that Elizabeth Savina, Eva Shveyts, Xenia Orlovska and Milena Fedosenko will stay home for now, but we are counting on them in the future.

— Were all of the girls you wanted to see in the national team present during your preparation stage in Ternopil?

— No. The reason is that the UEFA Development Tournament takes place outside international windows, and leading domestic clubs are expected to ignore these competitions. That's why our closest reserves will be put to the test in Croatia. I believe that four or five players from this group will compete for a spot on the team for Euro-2026 qualifiers this fall.

— What information do you have about your opponents from Hungary, Croatia and Morocco?

— There isn't enough of it. So there's nothing to do but study the opposition directly during the tournament. Although we are prepared seriously and will try to demonstrate everything we can.

Composition of the Ukrainian women’s national team WU-16

Goalkeepers: Oleksandra Lizenkova, Alisa Krasykova (both —«Krivbas» Kryvyi Rih), Kristina Alpatova (DYSU «Podil» Kyiv).

Defenders: Nicol Bazhuk («Ladomir» Volodymyr), Valeriya Kazyna (DYSU «Podil» Kyiv), Elizabeth Girun, Nina Pypchenko (both —«OKIP-Polissia» Kyiv), Anna Lyakh («Krivbas» Kryvyi Rih).

Midfielders: Veronika Odud, Veronika Neposhivalenko (both —«Krivbas» Kryvyi Rih), Milana Fedosenko («Yunost» Chernihiv/«Olimp» Slavutych), Nonna Grynyshyn, Zlata Voloshuk, Yevheniya Martynyuk (all —«Ladomir» Volodymyr), Stefania Oliynik («Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Sofia Yurchenko («OKIP-Polissia» Kyiv).

Forwards: Ariana Paskarenko («EMS-Podillya» Vinnytsia), Sofia Onufrienko («OKIP-Polissia» Kyiv), Xenia Vorobei («Yunost» Chernihiv), Anna Durbalo («Sisters» Odesa).

UEFA Development Tournament among women's national teams WU-16

07.05. Croatia — Morocco. 12:00
07.05. Hungary — Ukraine. 18:00

09.05. Croatia — Ukraine. 12:00
09.05. Hungary — Morocco. 18:00

12.05. Morocco — Ukraine. 12:00
12.05. Croatia — Hungary. 12:00

Match start times are in Kyiv time.

According to the regulations, each team will play three matches. Three points will be awarded for a win, and if the match ends in a draw, a penalty shootout will take place; the winner of which will receive two points while the losing side gets one point.