Ukraine U-19 national team coach Dmytro Mykhaylenko shared his expectations ahead of his squad’s opening match at the UEFA U-19 Euro 2026. Their first opponent in the tournament will be Croatia.
“We aim not only to qualify for the World Cup but also to gain valuable experience competing at the highest level against Europe’s best teams. We want to enjoy the tournament. We remember that feeling from two years ago when we reached the semifinals, and we hope to experience it again,” Mykhaylenko said.
He acknowledged the strength and balance within their group, emphasizing that all teams have an equal chance of reaching the semifinals. “We need to be very confident, very strong, and believe in ourselves, the players, and each other to achieve our goals. Above all, we must have confidence.”
Mykhaylenko noted that the team had ample time to study Croatia. “We know they are a very strong side with excellent attacking players, so we must be very solid defensively to control the game. Hopefully, we can surprise them,” he added.
Ukraine’s other group stage opponents at Euro 2026 will be Italy and Serbia.
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