Oleg Kuznetsov: "The Danes will have a certain advantage as hosts of the elite round, but this should not affect the competition globally"

07.12.2019 15:01

Photo by Andrii Mayorov

Oleg Kuznetsov, coach of the U-19 youth team of Ukraine, believes that 2019 was a positive year for his team.

Head coach of the youth team of Ukraine (football players not older than 2001) Oleg Kuznetsov shared his impressions of elite round draw Euro 2020 (U-19) and summed up the year for his team.

- Oleg Vladimirovich, there was a draw of an elite round of selection of the European championship. What will be your opinion about the rivals of the national team of Ukraine?

- At the moment it is difficult to give a three-dimensional description of the teams, because we have not met with England and Latvia. But, I think, the British do not need to be represented once again. At the same time from the first basket (Ukraine was sown from the second. - Note. Ed.) could fall Austrians or, for example, Georgians. I would call Latvia a dark horse. And we met with Denmark in November last year. Despite two victories, I can say that this is a very strong opponent.

- By the way, the tournament will be held in Denmark. Does this make the hosts favorites?

- Do not think. Yes, the Danes will get some advantage because of this, but globally it should not affect the rivalry. This will not be the most important thing.

- Before the start of the elite round, which will take place in March next year, will your team have a stage of preparation?

- No. We were offered to play in Finland, but in February all the players will be at the training camp in their clubs, maybe someone with the first teams. This is not to give UEFA, and the question is whether the clubs will release their representatives. And to go to the collection of the experimental composition does not make sense. Before the elite round we will have a week of training. In addition, we do not yet know on which fields we will play, artificial or natural.

- In general, how would you rate last year for your national team?

- Positive. Of course, there were negative moments, because it was not always possible to invite all the best performers. But the most important thing is that the team succeeded in the fall to overcome the qualifying round, taking first place in such a difficult group. And I would like to thank UAF for the qualitative conditions for the preparation, as well as for the guys who came to the national team, but did not get into the official matches. We continue to monitor them.