Having secured the top spot in the elite round, our team is participating in the final tournament for the 11th time in history and for the first time since 2017. Today, under the guidance of Yuriy Moroz, our team began their journey in the final tournament in Paralimni, Cyprus, facing their group opponent - the team of Serbia.

Photo by Andriy Lichko

The Balkans took the lead as early as the 2nd minute - a powerful shot from outside the penalty area found the top corner courtesy of Makevic. The Serbians continued to dominate, and in one of the episodes, Cvetkovic narrowly missed scoring from a few meters away.

In the 31st minute, the Ukrainians responded with an inaccurate shot from Tretyak after a corner. Later, Stepanov made a brilliant shot from the turn, but the goalkeeper parried it. Soon after, Makarenko had to rescue his team after a dangerous shot from Vasilic. Shortly before the break, Olychenko delivered a great pass to Stepanov, but he failed to aim at the far corner. Also, we note Makarenko's save after Kostov's free-kick.

Photo by Andriy Lichko

Immediately after the break, Redushko headed a cross from Strilchuk, but Jovanovic saved his team. Later, the same Redushko tested the goalkeeper from long range, and later, with a header from a good position. Then, Stepanov caught opponents off guard with a mistake, but also lost his duel to the goalkeeper.

In the 74th minute, the Serbians marked a dangerous attempt by Djordjevic - the ball flew past the post. At the end of the match, the blue-yellows dangerously attempted shots with Popov, Redushko, and Stepanov, but our boys failed to equalize.

Photo by Andriy Lichko

Thus, Yuriy Moroz's wards start with a defeat against Serbia - 0:1. The next game, against Czechia, Ukrainians will play on May 23.

Euro 2024 (U-17). Final Tournament

Group A

May 20, 2024

Serbia (U-17) - Ukraine (U-17) - 1:0 (1:0)

Goal: Makevic (2).

Serbia (U-17): Jovanovic, Bubanja, Roganovic, Milosavlevic, Stoyanovic, Kostic (Damyanovic, 67), Makevic, Vasilic, Kostov, Tsvetkovic (Premovic, 86), Mladenovic (Djordjevic, 71).

Ukraine (U-17): Makarenko, Sheleketa, Tretyak, Dihtyar, Strilchuk, Liusin (Redushko, 46), Drahan (Soroka, 46), Olychenko (Vakulyuk, 64), Bohdanov (Popov, 77), Stepanov, Bondar (Denysov, 64).

Yellow cards: Bubanja (38), Mladenovic (40), Milosavlevic (68), Kostov (90+5) - Redushko (46), Strilchuk (61).

Cyprus - Czechia - 0:5 (0:3)

Standings

May 23, 2024

Ukraine vs. Czechia (18:00, Paralimni)

Cyprus vs. Serbia (20:30, Larnaca)

May 26, 2024

Ukraine vs. Cyprus (20:30, Larnaca)

Czechia vs. Serbia (20:30, Larnaca)

Quarter-finals

May 29, 2024

1. A1 vs. B2 (17:30 or 20:00, Larnaca)
   
2. B1 vs. A2 (17:30 or 20:00, Larnaca)
   

May 30, 2024

1. C1 vs. D2 (18:00 or 20:30, Larnaca)
   
2. D1 vs. C2 (18:00 or 20:30, Larnaca)
   

Semi-finals

June 2, 2024

1. Winner 1 vs. Winner 3 (18:00 or 20:30, Larnaca)
   
2. Winner 2 vs. Winner 4 (18:00 or 20:30, Larnaca)
   

Final

June 5, 2024

Winner 5 vs. Winner 6 (20:30, Limassol)

All match times are Kyiv time.