Viktor Mykita: "Football during war has become a form of rehabilitation for defenders and a foundation for community development."
Dmytro Mykhailenko: "Once the emotions settle, we'll look at the game and the result differently"
The head coach of the Ukraine U-19 team, Dmytro Mykhailenko, commented on his team's 0:1 defeat to France in the EURO 2024 (U-19) semi-final.
"We have positive emotions remaining. We were competitive, creating chances in both the first and second halves. We could have been more dangerous near their penalty area. I would have liked us to control the ball more calmly and efficiently, which would have kept us fresher in attack. In the second half, we couldn't advance from our half as effectively and started losing the ball. But after a series of substitutions, we changed the course of the game, started creating chances, and came close to equalizing. So, the impression of the game is positive, but there's also disappointment because we could have done more.
Through character, desire, and the willingness to push beyond their limits, we created pressure, and with a bit more luck, we could have scored.
All the players showed themselves today. The way our defense played, how they gave their all, and how they encouraged each other. It's not the time to single out anyone. All the players did great, gave their best, and showed their skills.
Once the emotions settle, we'll look at the game and the result differently. For me, there's a big positive in the fact that we qualified for the World Cup finals and are among the top four teams in Europe. Look at who is alongside us: Italy, Spain and France. We were very close today to not losing to France. But I understand that we need to work hard, the players felt the level and standards they need to grow to. This is very important. They were crying in the locker room, disappointed because it was so close, it wasn't a one-sided game. We need to work more, and I believe we need to demand more from our players. They can do more. We just need to set goals and pursue them," Mykhailenko noted.
EURO 2024 (U-19).
Group A: Northern Ireland, Norway, Italy, Ukraine.
15.07.2024
Italy — Norway — 2:1
Northern Ireland — Ukraine — 0:0
18.07.2024
Norway — Ukraine — 0:0
Northern Ireland — Italy — 0:3
21.07.2024
Norway — Northern Ireland — 2:0
Ukraine — Italy — 3:2
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 — Spain — 1:2
France — Turkey — 2:1
19.07.2024
Denmark — France — 2:4
Turkiye — Spain — 1:1
22.07.2024
Turkiye — Denmark — 3:3
Spain — France — 2:2
Group B standings
|
|
Team |
M |
W |
D |
L |
GD |
P |
|
1 |
France |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
8—5 |
7 |
|
2 |
Spain |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5—4 |
5 |
|
3 |
Turkiye |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
5—6 |
2 |
|
4 |
Denmark |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
6—9 |
1 |
25.07.2024
Play-off match for the right to qualify for the 2025 U-20 World Cup
Norway — Turkey - 1:1 (10:9, on pens.)
Semi-finals
Italy — Spain - 0:1 (a.t.)
France — Ukraine - 1:0
28.07.2024
Final
Spain - France (21:00, Belfast)
All match times are in Kyiv time.
