Famous Ukrainian coach Serhiy Kovalets shared his expectations for the performance of the Ukrainian national team at Euro 2023 (U-21). It will be recalled that today the Blue and Yellows will play Croatia in the opening match of the tournament.
Sergey Kovalets- If the national team takes a break, then the moment of truth comes for the youth team. Ruslan Rotan's team will start Euro 2023 on Wednesday. You also once led the youth national team and took it to the play-offs. It was during your tenure that Malinowski, Zinchenko, Bushchan, who now represent the country's first team, made their debuts in the national team. What has changed during this time, and what are your expectations?
- It is important that now all the players of the youth national team have game practice at the adult level. When my coaching staff was working in the national team, many players - Kalitvintsev, Malinowski, Buyalskyi - played in the doubles of their teams. Back then, UPL clubs overwhelmingly relied on legionnaires, and young players had to wait for their time.
We have a very interesting and promising team. Four players at once - Mudryk, Trubin, Sudakov and Vanat - were delegated from the first team. I would like to wish Ruslan Rotan and his coaching staff to represent our country with dignity, achieve a good result and win a ticket to the Olympics.
- The opening match is against Croatia U-21. This small country is one of the leaders in football and sets the tone for football fashion. What do you see as the secret to the success of the "chequered"?
- I talked about this topic with Mladen Bartlovic, who worked as my assistant at Ingulets. Mladen is a graduate of Hajduk in Split, which has an excellent children's school. He noted that team sports are traditionally developed in Croatia - basketball, volleyball, water polo... At the same time, the Croats do not fight for results at the youth level, but focus on technique and individual skills.
It is important that local clubs operate as business projects, so they do not overstay their welcome to young talented players, but let them go abroad in time. Croatia's membership in the European Union also facilitates transfers (I hope Ukraine will also win this right in the war with Russia). The favourable local warm climate makes it possible to play football in the country all year round.
However, I believe that Ruslan Rotan's team has its own strong points that will allow them to make a good start at the Euros. We will keep our fingers crossed for the boys and wish them a successful performance.
Serhiy Sytnyk
