Nataliya Ignatovych: "You can't say that Ukraine was lucky with the lot"

10.12.2023 15:33

Photo of UAF press service

The opponents of the youth women's national team of Ukraine in the second round of Euro-2024 selection (WU-19) have been determined. According to the results of the draw, the blue-yellow team got into group A4, where they will play against France, the Czech Republic and Norway.

Nataliya Ignatovych, acting head coach of the youth women's national team of Ukraine, commented on the results of the draw to the official UAF website:

- We cannot say that we were lucky. The mini-tournament in group A4 will be held in April in the Czech Republic, and, in my opinion, the main contenders for victory will be the national teams of France and Norway. The hosts and I will fight for the extension of the registration in League A. However, this does not mean that we will not make efforts to give battle to the favorites.

- What information do you have about rivals?

— There is still time, and my assistants and I will focus on gathering information about future visas sometime in early March next year. Hopefully they will be participating in international tournaments and that way we will have the most up-to-date data.

— Are changes expected in the composition of the youth women's national team of Ukraine in the Czech Republic compared to the mini-tournament within the first round of Euro-2024 qualification in League B in Armenia?

- Minimal. We are counting on midfielder Sofia Lutsan from Shakhtar, who was unable to play in Armenia due to injury. She has already recovered and is ready to help. We are also keeping a close eye on 16-year-old Yevgenia Belova, who plays effectively in the attack of the Swiss "Zurich" WU-21.

— Will your wards have problems with game practice before leaving for the Czech Republic?

- Do not think. Most of them defend the colors of elite domestic teams and, I hope, will have time to play several calendar matches in the championship of Ukraine.

Euro 2024 (WU-19). Second round of selection

League A

Group A1: Spain, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia.

Group A2: Austria, Iceland, Ireland, Croatia.

Group A3: England, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland.

Group A4: France, Czech Republic, Norway, Ukraine.

Group A5: Serbia, Belgium, Belarus, Slovakia.

Group A6: The Netherlands, Finland, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Group A7: Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Romania.

League B.

Group B1: Wales, North Macedonia, Moldova, Lithuania.

Group B2: Scotland, Albania, Cyprus, Liechtenstein.

Group B3: Israel, Kosovo, Gibraltar, Luxembourg.

Group B4: Montenegro, Bulgaria, Latvia, Azerbaijan.

Group B5: Northern Ireland, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Georgia.

Group B6: Turkey, Faroe Islands, Armenia.

The second qualifying round will determine the seven national teams that will join Lithuania in the final stage of the U19 European Championship for Girls, as well as the teams that will move from one league to another. 

In League A, 28 teams will play in seven groups, including seven national teams that were promoted from League B following the results of the first round. The seven group winners of League A in the second round will qualify for the final stage, which will be played from July 15 to July 27, 2024. The fourth-place teams in the groups will start the 2024/2025 season in League B.

23 teams in League B, including those relegated from League A after the autumn stage, will compete in six groups (five with four participants, one with three) for tickets to League A in the first round of the next draw. Lithuania will also compete in League B, although they are guaranteed a place in the final as hosts.