Renowned journalist Artem Frankov has commented on Ukraine's 2-0 win over Croatia in the opening match of U-21 Euro 2023 in Bucharest the day before.
"I think you saw it - it was all business. Some statistical advantage for the Croats came from a series of awkward shots for nothing (and what can you expect from a forward called Belje?!), and also after an hour of play, when Ukraine were either tired, or just tried to play to their strengths. That's when, of course, Stojkovic and Fregan frankly forgave us.
Ruslan Rotan sensibly made a bet on "his" team, besides an injured Mudryk had to be spared. In general, the result was rewarding! The main hero, of course, should be considered world champion Olexiy Kaschuk, who scored a crazy individual goal off a pass from Bondarenko (which largely determined the course of the match), and at the beginning of the second half, after removing Cholina, perfectly cut it to Sikanu's head. Such a helpless Bartol Franić was unpleasant for me just because of his surname," Frankov wrote on Telegram.