Oleg Shaitanov: "We saw a lot in the matches with the Italian team, received a lot of information"

25.01.2019 13:02

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The head coach of the women's national team of Futsal Oleg Shaitanov spoke about the next stage of preparation of the team for Euro-2019.

This week, the Blue and Yellows played two friendly games against Italy: the first lost - 1: 4, and in the other played a draw - 1: 1. Ukrainian trainer Oleg Shaitanov evaluated the results of the sparring and told about further plans of the team.

- Meetings with the collectionwas it a good check for your wards?

- Yes, these fights were very important. It's good that we played with Italy. We saw a lot, got a lot of information. I am satisfied with the way our preparations turned out: in December matches with Slovakia, and in January - with Italy.

- Do you mention any of the girls?

- It is difficult to talk about someone separately. I would like to say a few words to Olena Tsykalenko, who was seriously injured. I wish her a speedy recovery and return to the playground. Unfortunately, everything there is very serious - an ankle fracture in several places with a ruptured ligament. Ahead of her full examination…

- When will you decide on the composition of our national team for the continental championship?

- We have a deadline in the last days before departure to Portugal. Before that, on February 5-13, we will hold a gathering, which will most likely invite 16 girls. Already during it we will determine who will go to the European Championship.

- Not only Ukraine holds sparring matches - in January our rivals for Euro 2019, Portugal and Spain, played each other. Did you watch these matches?

- Yes, I watched these games, there are videos that the girls will work with. We will talk more about Portugal during the next meeting.

It will be recalled that the Ukrainian women are preparing to perform at the European Premier Championship, which will be held on February 15-17 this year. Rival of the blue-yellows in the semifinals of the tournament on the 15th will be Portugal, on the territory of which the championship will take place.