Players of the women's national team of Ukraine shared their thoughts about the opponent in the playoffs of Euro-2022 - the team of Northern Ireland

07.04.2021 15:05

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Natalia Zinchenko's wards started training camp dedicated to the preparation for the matches of the playoffs of the European Championship-2022.

According to the results of the draw the blue and yellows played against Northern Ireland in head-to-head matches for the right to play in Euro 2022. Gathering of our team, which includes 24 football players entered, started on April 5 in Kyiv. Classes are held at the stadium of FC "Left Bank". According to the medical protocol, the Ukrainian women underwent PCR testing on Monday, and all the results were negative.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

"Now the schedule is such that one game follows another. I think this is a big plus, because there was no pause, all the girls are in good shape. This will help in future games.

I can say that I am happy with the draw, but this is a moment of fart, to which I do not attach much importance. We have already met with Northern Ireland, we know little about it. The opponent is good, worthy. The last result in a face-to-face meeting with him was in our favor, but it does not say anything. You need to tune in to the fight. Rivals will fight like us.

We have a lot of work ahead of us. We need to do what we have to do, and even then we will be happy and show emotions. Let's get ready. We need to show our game, play the way we can.

The workout was engaging. By the way, we played the last game of the Ukrainian championship in Kherson on an artificial field. We train on an artificial field, so you don't need to get used to it. The mood is good, we are glad to see each other, ”he said Zhytlobud-2 midfielder Yana Malakhova.

Defender of Zhitlobud-1 Lyubov Shmatko assessed the strength of the opponent: "Northern Ireland is a very good team. Even our last victory over this opponent with a score of 4: 0 means nothing. Games are very important in the playoffs, where teams are set up completely differently. I know that some players of this team play in the English Championship, they are strong performers. We need to pay attention to them. "

The first playoff match between Ukraine and Northern Ireland will take place on April 9 in Kovalivka at Kolos Stadium (starting at 19.00 pm), the return match will take place on April 13 in Belfast at Sivyu Stadium (21.45 pm Kyiv time).

The squad of the national women's team of Ukraine

Goalkeepers: Iryna Sanina (Zhytlobud-1 Kharkiv), Kateryna Samson, Daryna Bondarchuk (both Zhytlobud-2 Kharkiv), Alla Gerasymchuk (Hayasa, Armenia).

Defenders: Daria Kravets (Reims, France), Lyubov Shmatko, Anastasia Voronina, Anna Petryk, Olga Basanska (all - Zhytlobud-1 Kharkiv), Iryna Podolska, Anastasia Filenko (both Zhytlobud-2 Kharkiv).

Midfielders: Olga Ovdiychuk, Daria Apanashchenko, Olga Boychenko (all - Zhytlobud-1 Kharkiv), Tamila Khimich (Split, Croatia), Iya Andrushchak, Natia Pantsulaya, Yana Kalinina, Veronika Andrukhiv, Yana Malakhova (all - Zhytlobud -2 »Kharkiv).

Forwards: Nadiya Kunina, Anna Voronina (both Zhytlobud-1 Kharkiv), Nicole Kozlova (Virginia Tech, USA), Roksolana Kravchuk (Zhytlobud-2 Kharkiv).

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Euro-2022 among women's teams. Playoffs

Ukraine - Northern Ireland

Portugal - Russia

Czech Republic - Switzerland

In the final match of the group qualification round of Euro-2022 blue-yellow defeated Montenegro (2: 1). This victory allowed the Ukrainians to take second place in the group and continue the fight to reach the final tournament in the playoffs.

Summary table of group I

Euro-2022 among women's teams

Reached the final tournament: England (host), the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Finland, Sweden, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Austria.

Reached the playoffs: Ukraine, Switzerland, Portugal, Russia, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland.

A total of 15 teams from the Euro qualifiers will reach the decisive stage. Nine winners of the selected groups and the three best second teams have already joined England as the hosts of the European Championship (as a result of matches with the first, third, fourth and fifth teams in their groups). Six more teams, which became the second in their groups, will play in the last three matches in the butt matches. 

Final table of second places

It will be recalled that the Euro in England will be held from 6 to 31 July 2022.