Viktor Mykita: "Football during war has become a form of rehabilitation for defenders and a foundation for community development."
EURO 2024 (U-19): Ukraine defeats Italy, advances to semifinals and secures spot at 2025 U-20 World Cup
Today, the Ukraine U-19 team (players born in 2005 or later) played their third match of the EURO 2024 (U-19) final tournament against Italy.
After two goalless draws with Northern Ireland and Norway, Dmytro Mykhailenko's team needed a win against Italy to secure a spot in the semifinals. Otherwise, their fate would depend on the result of the parallel match between Ireland and Norway.
Photo by Dan Balashov
The match in Larne at Inver Park started with Italy creating several dangerous chances at the goal of Vladyslav Krapyvtsov. However, in the 7th minute, Ukraine’s first attack resulted in a goal by Hennadiy Synchuk, who capitalized on a defensive error and skillfully lifted the ball over the opposing goalkeeper.
Italy equalized in the 34th minute. Bernardo Corradi's team earned a free kick, and after the ball was delivered into the penalty area, Tommaso Ebone pushed it past Krapyvtsov — 1:1.
Photo by Dan Balashov
In the second half, both teams quickly exchanged goals. First, in the 52nd minute, Marco Romano scored from a central position to give Italy the lead, but just two minutes later, Danylo Krevsun received a pass from Matviy Ponomarenko and restored parity with a powerful shot — 2:2.
Photo by Dan Balashov
In the 75th minute, Ukraine was awarded a penalty and gained a numerical advantage due to Christian Corradi's red card for fouling Andriy Matkevych. Matviy Ponomarenko successfully converted the penalty.
Photo by Dan Balashov
Thus, Ukraine won 3:2, advancing to the EURO 2024 (U-19) semifinals from second place in Group A and securing a spot in the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile.
Photo by Dan Balashov
EURO 2024 (U-19). Group Stage. Group A
Ukraine — Italy — 3:2 (1:1)
Goals: Synchuk (7), Krevsun (54), Ponomarenko (75, penalty) — Ebone (34), Romano (52).
Ukraine: Krapyvtsov, Mykhavko, Yermachkov, Melnychenko (c), Husiev, Vashchenko (Obinaya, 88), Matkevych, Hadzhyiev (Tsukanov, 90+2), Krevsun, Synchuk (Tutierov, 88), Ponomarenko.
Italy: Magro, Panyucco, Chiarodia (Mane, 64), Corradi, Manni, Di Maggio (c) (Mannini, 46), Harder (Lipani, 69), Romano, Angeli (Pafundi, 69), Sia (Bartezagi, 75), Ebone.
Booked: Vashchenko (33), Ponomarenko (42), Mykhavko (49), Matkevych (90) — Corradi (31).
Sent off: Corradi (73).
Referee: Vassilis Fotias (Greece).
Group A: Northern Ireland, Norway, Italy, Ukraine.
15.07.2024
Italy 2:1 Norway
Northern Ireland 0:0 Ukraine
18.07.2024
Norway 0:0 Ukraine
Northern Ireland 0:3 Italy
21.07.2024
Norway 2:0 Northern Ireland
Ukraine 3:2 Italy
Group A standings
| Team | M | W | D | L | GD | P | |
| 1 | Italy | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7—4 | 6 |
| 2 | Ukraine | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3—2 | 5 |
| 3 | Norway | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3—2 | 4 |
| 4 | Northern Ireland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0—5 | 1 |
Group B: Spain, France, Turkiye, Denmark
16.07.2024
Denmark 1:2 Spain
France 2:1 Turkiye
19.07.2024
Denmark 2:4 France
Turkiye 1:1 Spain
Group B standings
| Team | M | W | D | L | GD | P | |
| 1 | France | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6—3 | 6 |
| 2 | Spain | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3—2 | 4 |
| 3 | Turkiye | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2—3 | 1 |
| 4 | Denmark | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3—6 | 0 |
22.07.2024
Turkiye vs. Denmark (21:00, Belfast)
Spain vs. France (21:00, Larn)
25.07.2024
Playoff for a spot in the 2025 U-20 World Cup
A3 vs. B3 (18:30, Belfast)
Semifinals
Italy vs. B2 (16:00, Belfast)
B1 vs. Ukraine (21:00, Belfast)
28.07.2024
Final
Winner 1 vs. Winner 2 (21:00, Belfast)
Match times are in Kyiv time.
