Andriy Lunin: “The youth team can go even further, so I'll be rooting for the guys”

04.06.2019 19:20

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Ukraine U-20 youth team goalkeeper Andriy Lunin shared his thoughts after arriving at the location of the country's main team.

Yesterday, the 20-year-old goalkeeper defended the colors of Alexander Petrakov's team at the 2019 World Cup in Poland and helped the Blue and Yellows make their way to the historic quarterfinals. Andriy has joined the national team today, which is preparing for the next Euro 2020 selection matches.

— Congratulations on coming to the 1/4 finals of the World Cup and coming to the national team. What can you say about yesterday's victory over Panama?

- I have a lot of positive emotions. Finally overcame the stage of the 1/8 finals of the World Cup. We can go even further, so I will support the guys. I will not predict anything, but our team is able to win every single match. The youth team does not set sky-high goals such as becoming a world champion, but moves from game to game. So far, everything is working out and, I hope, it will continue to be so.

— What do you think about the Colombian youth team Ukraine will play in the next round with?

- This is a Latin American team with enough technical, speed and athletic performers. They just don't make it to the quarterfinals. I think that the chances of our national team in this match are 50 to 50.

— You — the main goalkeeper of the U-20 youth team, however, you fully understand your purpose in the main team of the country…

- I went through all the vicissitudes of the tournament and, of course, I wanted to continue my performance at the championship, to bring the case to an end. But if they are counting on me here, then there are no questions. It is a great honor to play for the national team.

— Do you feel sad that you had to return to Ukraine early?

- Yesterday was a game, I did not sleep for a long time, plus a night flight. Just want to relax. But there can be no sadness when you come to the national team.

— How do you rate your physical fitness?

- In general, great! I finally started playing match after match, and when you constantly go out on the field, emotions cover any fatigue.

- Your arrival intensifies the competition in the goalkeeping position. What do you think?

- We have always had high competition, so Andriy Pyatov and Yuri Pankiv and I will talk about this topic (smiles).