Main coach of the Ukrainian youth national team U-18 (players born in 2008 or later) Oleksandr Sitnyk commented on the results of the draw for the first round of Euro-2027 (U-19) qualification for the yellow-and-blue.

The Ukrainian youth national team has learned their opponents in the first round of Euro-2027 (U-19) qualification. According to the draw, Ukraine is placed in Group A3, where they will play against the Czech Republic, Finland, and Estonia.

Commenting on the draw for the official website of the Ukrainian Football Federation, the main coach of our team Oleksandr Sitnyk said:

— If there are no European giants in our group, it does not mean that it will be easier. It makes no sense to compare teams of this age with the top teams from their countries. The Czech Republic played in the final part of the UEFA European Championship (U-17), which already speaks about the strength of this opponent.

Regarding Finland and Estonia, there is currently not much information available. However, it can be said that football develops quickly in Finland. We previously played a friendly match against the Estonians. It's clear that the team could have undergone changes, but their playing style is unlikely to change. This is a biting and fighting team that strives to impose a fight on every blade of grass.

However, we will study these opponents more closely in February when preparing for official matches in March through friendly games.

Euro-2027 (U-19). First round qualification

Liga A

Group A1: Belgium, Slovenia, Sweden, Cyprus.

Group A2: Italy, Ireland, Poland, Scotland.

Group A3: Czech Republic, Finland, Ukraine, Estonia.

Group A4: Germany, Austria, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Group A5: England, Croatia, Spain, Bulgaria.

Group A6: Portugal, Serbia, Greece, Kazakhstan.

Group A7: France, Switzerland, Hungary, Wales.

Liga B

Group B1: Denmark, Romania, Andorra, Liechtenstein.

Group B2: Turkey, Kosovo, Armenia, Gibraltar.

Group B3: Slovakia, Belarus, Latvia, San Marino.

Group B4: Norway, Albania, Luxembourg, Malta.

Group B5: Netherlands, Faroe Islands, North Macedonia, Moldova.

Group B6: Northern Ireland, Lithuania, Azerbaijan.

Group B7: Iceland, Montenegro, Georgia.

Qualification to the second round

After the first round is completed, teams advance as follows:

• Teams that occupy 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in Liga A will remain in Liga A for the second round;
• Teams that occupy 4th place in Liga A will move to Liga B for the second round;
• Winners of groups in Liga B will be promoted to Liga A for the second round;
• Teams that occupy 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places in Liga B will remain in Liga B for the second round.

Teams that played against each other in the first round will not meet again in the second round.