Ukraine U21 are in the top four of European national youth teams
Thursday, July 6, 2023
|
The Blue-and-Yellows stopped at the Euro 2023 semi-final stage
Ukraine U21, having swept the group stage without defeats and knocked out the main favourite of the tournament France U21 in the play-offs, met with Spain U21 in the match to advance to the final. 4 Shakhtar representatives appeared in the starting line-up of our team: goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin, midfielders Artem Bondarenko (captain) and Heorhii Sudakov, forward Danylo Sikan.
Ruslan Rotan’s lads started the meeting well and took the lead already in the 13th minute: Mykhailo Mudryk dealt with the opponents on the left wing and rolled the ball to the centre of the box where Artem Bondarenko found the net close to the near post. However, the Spaniards came back quite quickly, and then took the lead – Ruiz and Sancet scored. The Ukrainians attacked and had their chance shortly before the break: Mudryk made a delivery to the box line, with Sikan shooting into the far corner – Tenas reached it and saved the Spaniards.
Another Miner appeared at the beginning of the second half, Oleksii Kashchuk, and the Blue-and-Yellow had a good chance once again when Sudakov backheeled the ball to Bondarenko, but he shot above the crossbar from the penalty area. And the opponents used the opportunity. Blanco scored the third goal in the 54th minute. Bondarenko had the chance to respond almost at once, however his long-ranger was easily parried by the keeper. Spain managed to use the counter-attacks successfully and gave the score a lopsided look after goals by Barrenetxea and Sergio. Another Shakhtar player Oleh Ocheretko entered the game for the last 15 minutes, but, like his teammates, he didn’t manage to influence the course of the match. 1-5 – Ruslan Rotan’s side lost in the semi-finals and Spain U21 will meet with England U21 in the decisive match.
According to the results of the 2023 UEFA European U21 Championship, Ukraine U21 entered the top four and won a pass to the Olympic 2024 in Paris for the first time in the country's history.
Ruslan Rotan’s lads started the meeting well and took the lead already in the 13th minute: Mykhailo Mudryk dealt with the opponents on the left wing and rolled the ball to the centre of the box where Artem Bondarenko found the net close to the near post. However, the Spaniards came back quite quickly, and then took the lead – Ruiz and Sancet scored. The Ukrainians attacked and had their chance shortly before the break: Mudryk made a delivery to the box line, with Sikan shooting into the far corner – Tenas reached it and saved the Spaniards.
Another Miner appeared at the beginning of the second half, Oleksii Kashchuk, and the Blue-and-Yellow had a good chance once again when Sudakov backheeled the ball to Bondarenko, but he shot above the crossbar from the penalty area. And the opponents used the opportunity. Blanco scored the third goal in the 54th minute. Bondarenko had the chance to respond almost at once, however his long-ranger was easily parried by the keeper. Spain managed to use the counter-attacks successfully and gave the score a lopsided look after goals by Barrenetxea and Sergio. Another Shakhtar player Oleh Ocheretko entered the game for the last 15 minutes, but, like his teammates, he didn’t manage to influence the course of the match. 1-5 – Ruslan Rotan’s side lost in the semi-finals and Spain U21 will meet with England U21 in the decisive match.
According to the results of the 2023 UEFA European U21 Championship, Ukraine U21 entered the top four and won a pass to the Olympic 2024 in Paris for the first time in the country's history.