Last Friday, 15 March, UAF President Andriy Shevchenko spoke to the players and coaches of the U-17 national team. This team won a ticket to Euro 2024, which will take place in Cyprus in May-June. However, many of the players called up to the squad play abroad and returned to their clubs immediately after the elite qualifying round matches in Greece. Therefore, Andriy Shevchenko managed to talk to the national team from the Football House only via an electronic conference, which was attended by almost all the blue and yellow players.
"You have made a very important step in your career. I did not achieve such success at your age. When I was about your age, we played a friendly with the Netherlands: We drew 2-2 at home, 0-0 away and failed to qualify for the Euros in 1994. And you did well!
However, this is only the beginning of your journey. Now you have a very bright moment in your career, you have confidently overcome the elite selection round. But the European Championship is a completely different motivation! There will be a very high level of teams and players there. But you always need to compete with the best - you need to move forward, look for new challenges," said Andriy Shevchenko, addressing the players of the U-17 national team.
In turn, the team's coach Yuriy Moroz, who was also present at the Football House during the meeting, invited Andriy Shevchenko to support the national team during the final part of Euro 2024 in Cyprus. The UAF President assured that he would try to find an opportunity to do so personally. Addressing the players, he added: "The European Championship is a chance to prove yourself. There will be many representatives of famous clubs from all over Europe in the stands during the matches. But I want you to understand that the main thing is not only to show your individual qualities, the main thing is the performance of the team. Trends in the football world are changing now. Leading experts are looking at the results of the team as a whole, rather than focusing on individual performers, no matter how well they are individually prepared. Nowadays, the ability to work for the team and its results is most valued in a footballer."
Euro 2024 (U-17) with the participation of 16 national teams will take place from 20 May to 5 June in Cyprus - at six stadiums in Ahna, Larnaca, Paralimni and Limassol.
The draw for the final tournament will take place in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, on 3 April. The 16 participants will be divided into four groups of four teams. Currently, Cyprus (as the host of the competition) and Ukraine have guaranteed their participation in the championship.