Fans met the Ukrainian national futsal team at Boryspil airport

07.02.2022 21:28

Photo of UAF press service

On Monday, February 7, the national futsal team of Ukraine returned home after the performances at the 2022 European Championship.

For the first time in 17 years, since 2005, the national team of Ukraine made its way to the four best teams of futsal Euro. The blue-and-yellows were not enough to add another medal to the two silver medals of the European forums won in 2001 and 2003.

Photo by uefa.com

It will be recalled that in the group round of the continental championship, Ukrainians were defeated by the Netherlands (2:3), defeated Serbia (6:1) and lost to Portugal0:1), but took second place in the quartet and made it to the playoffs. Oleksandr Kosenko's wards defeated Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals (5:3), lost to Russia in the semifinals2:3), and in the match for third place lost to Spain (1:4). 

Photo of UAF press service

However, even the fourth place at Euro-2022 is a significant achievement, which gathered a large number of Ukrainian fans at Boryspil airport.

The national team entered the waiting room of the capital's airport to the applause and cheers of those waiting. The coaching staff, staff and players of the national team were pleasantly surprised by the really warm welcome after returning home.

Photo of UAF press service

"Thank you to everyone who was involved in the futsal holiday," said the head coach of the blue and yellows Alexander Kosenko. - We felt this crazy support from Ukraine, and that's why the guys gave their best to give our fans happy emotions. 

I believe that if we are in the top 4 teams in Europe, we have achieved a lot. We have raised the bar high, and now the main thing is to keep it. 

Of course, we wanted to get to the final, and after the defeat in the semifinals we wanted to win bronze. But I believe that even the fourth place will be an invaluable experience for our team, which has created good competition for the best teams in Europe at this Euro. I hope that this achievement will give a significant impetus to the development of futsal in Ukraine. "

Photo of UAF press service

The captain of the national team Petro Shoturma stressed that in each match the team fought for Ukraine, and the players, despite various obstacles during the tournament, fought for victory: "We showed our fighting spirit, we were one. We gave our best to this competition, because the Euro is a tournament where the best of the best perform, where you want to show everything you are capable of. 

We fought for Ukraine and wanted our fans to feel the excitement and emotions that we had when we went out on the floor and fought for victory.

I am proud to be in this team. Our Ukraine is the best that can be. Glory to Ukraine!"

Photo of UAF press service

On the way to the bus, the semi-finalists of Euro 2022 talked to the press, and also devoted time to memorable selfies and autographs for young football fans.

President of the Ukrainian Football Association, member of the UEFA Executive Committee Andriy Pavelko emotionally commented on the performance of our national team at Euro-2022 in futsal:

"Euro 2022 in futsal has become a history, as a result of which the national team of Ukraine became one of the four strongest teams on the continent. For the first time since 2005! But first of all, the team led by Oleksandr Kosenko will be remembered in this tournament for its unbridled will to win every match. Our guys selflessly fought for every ball, for every piece of the floor every second of the match. It is gratifying that this was also noted by my UEFA colleagues, with whom I had the opportunity to meet on the final day of the tournament.

Photo of UAF press service

We are especially grateful for the warm words addressed to our national team by UEFA President Alexander Ceferin, UEFA Vice-President, Head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Football Association of the Netherlands Just Spie, President of Portugal and Lugano. with whom we spoke yesterday at the Ziggo Dom complex in Amsterdam, where the Euro matches took place.

Photo of UAF press service

By the way, remembering this wonderful multifunctional arena, I can't help but mention the best parquet in the world today, where the national teams played here. And this is the high-quality parquet purchased by the UAF for training and performances of our futsal team, which is part of the family of teams that take care of the UAF (and there are 21 in total) in Ukraine. In particular, Oleksandr Kosenko's team was preparing for performances at the continental championship on this floor. In the future, futsal teams will be able to train and fight on a multifunctional base for our teams, the construction project of which was presented by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the UAF.

Photo of UAF press service

And this Euro will be remembered by the incredible support of our fans, who inspired the team and with whom we managed to communicate in the Netherlands. In general, without this special atmosphere and energy of Ukrainian fans, it is difficult to imagine any match of our national teams abroad. This is always a special event and a great opportunity for the unity of Ukrainians around the world.

Photo of UAF press service

Today, the team returned to Ukraine, where it was also met at the airport by loyal fans, who thanked the team for a bright performance at the Euro. I am sure that this team will give us many more victories and achievements, because it is a wonderful, well-organized, well-played and motivated team. And this is the result of great work, for which I am grateful to the head coach Oleksandr Kosenko and the president of the Futsal Association of Ukraine Serhiy Vladyko. Therefore, reaching the semifinals of the Euro is only the first step to future success. Thank you for Euro 2022! Glory to Ukraine!"