From February 8, the youth national team of Ukraine U-17 (players born in 2009 or later) will start training in Croatia. In addition to this, the blue and yellow will participate in an international tournament where their opponents will be the hosts of the games as well as teams from Greece and Israel.

Before the start of this camp, head coach of our team Oleksandr Sytnyk answered questions on the official website of UAF.

— Mr. Oleksandr, what do you think about the squad you have chosen?

— We have some minor problems. Some are absent due to injuries, such as Yaroslav Buravtsov, while others are for pleasant reasons, like Bohdan Lевytskyi, who is making his first trip with the senior team «Ruch». Besides, we have taken new players who showed themselves well in the selection tournament last December. There will be serious competition, so it will be interesting to see this squad not only during training but also in matches against worthy opponents.

— Seven foreign players are in the squad. Were you specifically looking to see these footballers?

— Yes. We have been following the striker of Polish «Legia», Danylo Pилипчук, who is the top scorer of Poland in his age group, having scored 23 goals in half a season. He is already working with the U-19 team now. There is also another newcomer, Vsevolod Lинніков from German «Stuttgart». He has been in this club's system for four years and is vice-captain of the team, playing almost every match without substitutions.

— Did they release Artem Reбак from «Barcelona» without problems?

— In principle, yes. «Barcelona» has finished its tournament where it secured first place, so Artem will be with us.

— Are you familiar with the opponents in the tournament?

— We have not faced Croatia only. We have already met Greece and Israel. Yes, their squads will likely be different, but we are familiar with the way these teams play. I think we can expect interesting matches.

— Besides watching players, what else will you still be following during this preparation stage?

— About selection, which never stops, I have already said. We also want to see how the players can meet the demands of our coaching staff. Of course, we will try to implement our playing model.

Squad of the Ukrainian U-17 youth national team

Goalkeepers: Yan Zhuravsky («Betis», Spain), Denis Stolyarenko («Legia», Poland), Bogdan Semeshko («Munakach Mukačevo»).

Defenders: Nazariy Smotrytsky (LNA Chernihiv), Andriy Kурлатов («Oleksandria»), Danylo Pryходко («Poliissia» Zhytomyr), Sergiy Zварич («Karpati» Lviv), Yevhen Onishchuk, Oleh Pилип'юк (both — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Zahar Onishchuk («Bologna», Italy).

Midfielders: Sviatoslav Bandilo («Poliissia» Zhytomyr), Ivan Zадоєнко («Kryvbas» Kryvyi Rih), Yevheniy Voloshko, Artem- Timofiy Troхим (both — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Sviatoslav Hлоц («Karpati» Lviv).

Forwards: Danylo Pилипчук («Legia», Poland), Adam Gурам («Hajduk», Croatia), Maksим Угрік, Oleh Дзюринець (both — «Ruch» Lviv).

Schedule of matches for the Ukrainian U-17 youth national team in the tournament in Croatia

February 11. Ukraine — Greece

February 13. Israel — Ukraine

February 16. Croatia — Ukraine

The start time of the matches will be announced later.

Remember, the Ukrainian U-17 youth national team will participate in the second round of Euro 2026 qualifying in group 6 of League V, where their opponents will be Latvia and Albania. The tournament in our group from March 3 to June 9 will take place in Albania.