June 12, the young Ukrainian national team started their campaign at the Euro 2025 in Slovakia's city of Prešov with a match against Denmark on the Tatran Arena.

In the starting lineup for the debut match, head coach Ouna Melgosa fielded seven players from the current Ukrainian champions, Kyiv Dynamo: Neshcherev, Vycharenko, Bragachko, Rubchytskyi, Bragaru, Vanat and Voloshin.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

Our boys' initial nervousness led to a dangerous moment for the Scandinavians on the 5th minute: Serensen took advantage of a long pass, outmaneuvered defenders and shot — the ball hit the crossbar. The Ukrainians played more confidently in defense and added pressure up front. On the 9th minute, goalkeeper Jungdal riskily came out of his penalty area to intercept a pass intended for Vanat. Rubchytskyi was first to react on the rebound but failed to capitalize.

On the 20th minute, high pressing paid off: Bragaru intercepted the ball from Provstgor and Vanat immediately opened up for a pass. Receiving inside the penalty area, the forward shot into the far upper corner, yet the ball whistled over the crossbar.

And just two minutes later, the blue-and-yellow team scored their goal. Ocheretko crossed from the right flank, Vanat lightly touched it towards the far post and Voloshin actually finished it off from the line — 1:0.

On the 32nd minute, Denmark first hit the woodwork — Kviestgarden created a threat but Neshcherev confidently dealt with the shot. After this, opponents executed several consecutive set pieces, yet even then Ukrainians remained ready.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

The second half began with a yellow card for V. Jensen for a foul on Roman, and after the free-kick, Denmark's goalkeeper struggled to clear the danger. In turn, opponents launched a quick attack down the right flank at the 63rd minute, which was finished by Gaae with a low shot. Defenders failed to intercept the ball, and Bishoff outsmarted Bragaru and scored past Neshcherev — 1:1.

After this, Vyunyk wasted a great opportunity, shooting unopposed from the right corner of the penalty area but Denmark's goalkeeper reacted in time to parry it for a corner. On the 78th minute, an attack down the right flank ended with Vyunyk passing to Ocheretko who then played to Bragaru, and he scored with a precise shot from the edge of the box — 2:1.

But Denmark almost immediately equalized. Beving fired from distance, and a ricochet deceived Neshcherev — 2:2. And just four minutes later, Osula, while inside the goalkeeper's area, scored with his knee to give Denmark their first lead in the match — 3:2.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

The Ukrainians tried to equalize: constantly pressing the Scandinavian goal, earning set pieces and taking shots, but the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.

Next match for Ouna Melgosa's wards will be on Sunday, June 15 against Finland. This game will take place in Košice and start at 7 PM.

Euro 2025 (U-21). Group Stage. Group D

Ukraine — Denmark — 2:3 (1:0)

Goals: Voloshin (22), Bragaru (78) — Bishoff (63), Beving (81), Osula (85). 

Ukraine: Neshcherev, Roman (Vyunyk, 54), Kozik, Batagov, Vycharenko, Ocheretko, Bragachko (c), Rubchytskyi (Yarmoluk, 63), Bragaru (Kvasnitsia, 80), Vanat, Voloshin (Saluk, 63).

Reserves: Yermakov, Krapivcov, Krups'kyi, Mikhavko, Smolyakov, Yatsik, Tserenko, Velentyn.

Coach: Ouna Melgosa.

Denmark: Jungdal, V. Jensen (c), Provstgor, Kristensen, Gaae, Serensen, Chukwuani (Narti, 57), Beving (Frauolo, 81), I. Jensen (Jorgensen, 81), Kviestgarden (Bishoff, 57), Garder (Osula, 72).

Reserves: Lukke, Sander, Goilun, Eler, Otoa, Adelgor.

Referee: Goga Kikachishvili (Georgia).

Yellow cards: Roman (33), Bragaru (54) — V. Jensen (48).

June 12, Slovakia. Prešov. «Tatran Arena».

Group D Standings

Euro 2025 (U-21). Final Tournament

Group Stage

Group A: Slovakia, Spain, Italy, Romania.

Group B: Czech Republic, England, Germany, Slovenia.

Group C: Portugal, France, Poland, Georgia.

Group D: Finland, Netherlands, Ukraine, Denmark.

12.06.2025

Ukraine — Denmark — 2:3

Finland — Netherlands (Košice, 10 PM)

15.06.2025

Finland — Ukraine (Košice, 7 PM)

Netherlands — Denmark (Prešov, 10 PM)

18.06.2025

Denmark — Finland (Košice, 7 PM)

Netherlands — Ukraine (Prešov, 7 PM)

Quarter-finals

21.06.2025

26. C1 — D2 (Žilina, 7 PM)

25. A1 — B2 (Trnava, 10 PM)

22.06.2025

27. B1 — A2 (Dunajská Streda, 7 PM or 10 PM)

28. D1 — C2 (Prešov, 7 PM or 10 PM)

Semifinals

25.06.2025

29. Winner of 25 — winner of 26 (Bratislava, 7 PM or 10 PM)

30. Winner of 27 — winner of 28 (Košice, 7 PM or 10 PM)

Final

28.06.2025

Winner of 29 — winner of 30 (Bratislava, 10 PM)

Match times are in Kyiv time.