Yuriy Moroz, head coach of the Ukraine U-17 national team, believes that every game is crucial at the European Championships. On May 12, the youth national team of Ukraine (players not older than 2007) left for Cyprus, where the final part of Euro 2024 (U-17) will take place from May 20 to June 5. The head coach of the team Yuriy Moroz told the UAF official website about the prospects and plans of the blue and yellows in this tournament.
Yuriy Moroz. Photo: UAF press service- Yuriy Leontiyovych, how are you feeling before the European Championships, apart from the fact that the country is at war?
- Indeed, the war is the biggest disadvantage of this situation. But we believe that justice will soon prevail. As for the team, all the guys are positive and want to show their best.
- The team will have a week of preparation before the start of the Euro, is this a luxury, again, in such a difficult time for the country?
- We are happy about it. For this, I can only thank the UAF leadership for meeting us halfway, it means a lot. I would also like to thank the clubs whose representatives are in our national team for training the players.
- In the week you have at your disposal, what will be the main focus of your preparations for the tournament?
- We want to cover everything, but we understand that this is unrealistic. Nevertheless, we really hope that the guys will treat all the requirements with understanding and give their best.
- Half of our squad represents European clubs. Have you chosen the best?
- Unfortunately, there are losses. But this does not apply to legionnaires. Due to injury, Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Volodymyr Ozymai, on whom we were counting heavily, could not come. Otherwise, I believe that today this is the optimal composition of the current national team of Ukraine.
- What can you say about your future group rivals?
- I won't be specific, but I can say for sure that, studying the opponents, I concluded that each of the teams in our group can present a surprise. The matches themselves will show who will be the best. Each of the opponents has about the same chances of success. The Ukrainian national team must be ready to show its best in every game, this is the only way we can achieve the best results.
- What is the most important task facing the team?
- As trite as it may sound, we want to win every game. The final part of the Euro is different from the qualification or elite round, psychological stability is very important here, there must be a good functional state, and I'm not talking about the team's desire and attitude. In such tournaments, every game is crucial. I would really like the guys to be imbued with our ideas and give at least a little joy to the Ukrainian people in such a difficult time.
