During this gathering, the team won against the local squad twice — 7:0 and 5:3. The coach of the blue-and-yellow team commented on and compared both matches, reports AFF.

— The first match was perfect — 7:0, we played from start to finish. After that game, you prepared the team for today's tougher challenge. In the end, it turned out exactly like that — the scenario of the second encounter was completely different...

— In such back-to-back matches, there are many nuances. The team that lost prepares even more seriously for the next game than for the previous one. The team that won, no matter how much you prepare or push them, they still subconsciously believe it will be just like yesterday — this is human nature.

In my opinion, the first match was beneficial in terms of feeling our game on the ball when everything works out. It's not easy, but you enjoy playing and things fall into place. The second meeting was different but even more valuable for testing character. We showed character, tried to play the same game, push our line. Even before conceding a goal, we had moments where we didn't convert opportunities, but we kept going, scored three goals, and turned it around.

With 3-1 in the second half, we had many excellent chances to score the fourth and fifth goals, which would have changed the course of the game. However, considering how the Lithuanians were prepared, anything could happen. But we didn't score — and when you concede with a 3-1 lead, everything changes dramatically. We only had one goal advantage left, while they felt it was close. Thankfully, at that moment, we remained calm and didn't panic. We scored what I consider a very beautiful goal. This is an extremely important psychological moment because we could have done nothing but executed a great combination play, defended well, and then scored the fifth. Yes, after that, they scored their third, but everyone understood after our fifth goal that it was over.

It's good that both matches didn't follow the same script. It's important that we played these games, tested young players, and gave them a chance to feel the level of national teams. 

We remind you that by winning six out of six matches in the Euro-2026 qualification round, Ukraine's team secured their ticket to the final tournament, which will take place from January 20 to February 7 next year on courts in Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia.

The draw for the final tournament is scheduled for October 24. During the ceremony at "Žalgiris Arena" in Kaunas, four groups of four teams will be formed. The top two teams from each quartet will then advance to the quarter-finals.

At Euro-2026, sixteen participants will compete: Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Spain, Portugal, France, Poland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Georgia, Hungary, and Italy.