Serhiy Sapronov: “Ukrainian national team deserves to play in Euro elite round”

28.10.2019 14:03

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Ukrainian national team WU-17 returned from Serbia, where she participated in the Euro 2020 qualifying tournament. Our compatriots took only third place in their group (Serbia - 2: 4, Czech Republic - 1: 1, Georgia - 1: 1), but according to additional indicators managed to make it to the next round of the continental championship.

- I think we have taken our place, - said the head coach of the national team of Ukraine Serhiy Sapronov in a comment to the official website of the UAF. - Somewhere we could have expected more, but the lack of concentration in the debut and at the end of matches was an obstacle. You know, the ability to properly adjust and properly distribute forces comes only with experience…

- Which of your rivals made the strongest impression on you?

- The Czech national team, which is remembered for its teamwork, ability to use several tactical schemes even in the course of one match. And I'm glad that in opposition to the Czechs, despite a bad start, my wards gradually recovered, pushed the game away from their goal, equalized the score and, according to experts, even more deserved to win than rivals…

- У the final round our footballers failed to overcome the outsiders of the tournament - Georgians. Perhaps it was not without underestimation of rivals?

- There can be no talk about it. The Georgians thought only of defense, so as not to lose by a landslide. And it is necessary that, almost for the first time appearing at our gate at the end of the match, they earned a penalty, which was perfectly realized! My wards did not use half a dozen goal moments, in a few more episodes the opponent's goalkeeper was on top. Of course, we were dissatisfied with the result, although it suited us, but when we soon learned that we were in the quartet of the best teams, which took third place in their groups, making it to the next round, the joy was endless…

- To which of your wards do you have the least claims?

- To goalkeeper Daria Kelyushyk from Mykolayiv and team captain, midfielder Yulia Khrystyuk from Vinnytsia. Although, if we talk about self-sacrifice, then I'm happy with everyone.

- What's next?

- In a few days there will be a draw, and we will get to know our rivals in the elite round. My wards will first prepare for the new tests in their clubs, and we will most likely get together next year. I am sure that UAF will organize effective preparation for responsible matches.