Mykola Kostenko: Ukraine did not take its place in the Euroleague Super Final

10.09.2020 14:31

The head coach of the Ukrainian national beach soccer team Mykola Kostenko commented on the performance of our team in the Superleague of the Euroleague 2020. 

In the Superleague of the Euroleague 2020, which took place on September 2-6 in Nazar, Portugal, the national team of Ukraine in beach soccer took third place. During the tournament, the blue and yellows defeated Germany (3: 3, on penalties - 4: 3) and France (7:2) and lost to Switzerland (2:4) and Portugal (2:4). 

The results of our team's performance at prestigious competitions were summed up by its mentor Mykola Kostenko:

- This tournament was not a great success for us, but it cannot be called a failure. The team played at a stable average level, although there were expectations that we will fight for the championship. In general, given the circumstances, I am satisfied with the performance of the team. Guys - well done! Unfortunately, the coronavirus interfered in the preparation of the national team, and its schedule was broken. Three days before departure, we took tests, and had to cancel a friendly match and training. We had to change our training plan on the fly, and we reached the peak of our form only at the end of the tournament. As a result, our best game was the last match - with the French.

- Didn't the first match with Germany become a psychological problem, when our team missed two goals in the last minutes?

- In this match, when two minutes before the final whistle the national team of Ukraine led by two goals, we missed the moment when it was necessary to dry the game a bit. The match was given to us, with a score of 3: 1 there were some good opportunities, which we, unfortunately, did not realize. Probably, it was necessary to play a little more pragmatic. Do not try to sharpen, but demonstrate a kind of sticky football, leaving no chances for the opponent. But this is beach soccer, that's what happens here. But psychologically, I don't think it affected the guys. Still, the victory on penalties gave the opportunity to fight for first place. 

- In your opinion, did the matches with Switzerland and Portugal become key?

- In the matches against these national teams, in which the Euroleague champion was actually determined, we, unfortunately, were a bit unlucky. Of course, any victory should be deserved, but in the same match with the Portuguese with a score of 1: 1 we were not credited with a clean sheet. In the fight, our forward Andriy Pashko scored the ball, but the referee saw some violation there. Then on the replay it was clear that it was just a struggle. Such moments hindered us a bit in key matches.

- Did the level of rivals impress you?

- If you analyze all the teams, the French came very well prepared functionally, as demonstrated by their game with the Germans, in which they won. In recent years, France has become one of the most organized and balanced teams in Europe. Germany, as always, is distinguished by its discipline. Two years ago, the Germans invited an Italian coach, and the picture of the game in them has changed somewhat, there are clearly Italian tactical developments. It is a very difficult team, which proved the duel with us.

Switzerland has always been one of the best teams on the continent. It has such class leaders as Stankovic, Ott. Their goalkeeper Eliott Monod is currently playing at a very high level. This is, of course, the top team. Well, the Portuguese are world champions. However, this year their defender Jordan, one of the best players in world beach soccer, did not come to the tournament. Therefore, we had hope for the best result of the match against Portugal, and the game itself showed that our team played on equal terms. The score could swing in one direction or the other. Unfortunately, we were not able to realize all our moments, plus the referee's mistake, which I have already mentioned, intervened.

If we compare the level of all five teams, we still did not take our place, but had to fight for the first or second. But, I would like to emphasize once again, our third position is not a failure.