A training camp is taking place at the village of Shaslyve from December 1-3, featuring the first ever educational and training session with as many as 33 football players in the U-15 age category (born in 2011 or younger).

Participants are divided into three teams and work according to a structured program that includes theoretical sessions, training, and playing three matches against each other on December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Based on the results of the camp, the coaching staff led by Volodymyr Samorodskyi, the analytical department, and the scouting service will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the players. On the basis of the obtained data and personal review by the head coach, a team representing Ukraine at the UEFA Development Tournament in Lisbon from December 16-22 will be formed.

List of called-up players

David Kalynych, Maxim Tarnavskyi, Vladyslav Kozak (all — "Karpaty" Lviv), Igor Martin, Ivan Hrytsuk, Illia Yakymchuk, Oleksandr Chmelyov, Artur Maliuta, Andriy Cholak, Danyil Slobodyan, Oleksandr Ivashyshyn (all — "Ruh" Lviv), Marco Ratskyi, Arseniy Semenchenko, Oleksandr Barkov, David Pavlinov, Mykita Boniuk, Kirill Savin, Velyzary Artiukhovich (all — "Shakhtar" Donetsk), Ivan Koloos, Matvii Les, Ruslan Gladkyi (all — LNZ Chernihiv), Timofiy Pugayko ("Veres" Rivne), Nazar Kravchuk, Georgiy Malakanov, Kiryl Sitnyuk, Karim Bahriev (all — "Dynamo" Kyiv), Oleksandr Dzvonik, Hlib Shlyapkin, Artem Zamorskyi, Illia Onokalo (all — "Left Bank" Kyiv), Zahar Oleshanskyi ("UFK-Kryvyi Rih"), Yevhen Kozachuk ("Kryvyi Rih"), Kirill Shulga ("OFKI-Polissya" Kyiv).

Photo: Dan Balashov

The holding of this NTZ became a logical step within the systematic work of the Ukrainian Football Association to improve youth team selection and introduce full transparency in player selection. To launch this direction as effectively as possible, the UFA initiated consultations with leading European experts — representatives from Italy, Portugal, Germany, Austria, France, etc.

Photo: Dan Balashov

An important stage of preparatory work was the training camp at the Italian Football Federation base in Covarese. The Ukrainian delegation met with the coordinator of Italy's youth teams, Maurizio Vichidi, with whom they thoroughly discussed selection processes, principles for forming teams, and methodologies for preparing talented players.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Upon returning to Ukraine, another working meeting of the head coaches of youth teams and the technical director of UFA was held, at which it was decided for the first time to organize a selection tournament in the youngest age category — U-15. The model is similar to Italy's but adapted to Ukrainian realities and needs for developing youth football.

Photo: Dan Balashov

The UFA plans to make such, but larger-scale selection camps a regular practice and conduct them in various age categories.