Today, on July 4, the youth national team of Ukraine (players not older than 2005) began a training camp dedicated to the final part of the European Championship (U-19), which will take place in Northern Ireland from July 15 to 28. The head coach of our team, Dmytro Mykhailenko, spoke about the prospects and plans of the Blue and Yellows at this tournament.
Dmitry Mikhailenko
- Mr. Dmytro, how are you feeling before the start of the training camp?
- The players and I have been in touch over the past month. The guys are in a fighting mood, everyone wants to work.
- Did you manage to invite all the best players to prepare for the Euro?
- I think so. This time we were joined by a number of players who were not in North Macedonia in the elite round. I believe that at the moment this is the strongest team of its age.
- Do you plan to hold sparring matches inpreparation for the tournament?
- Yes, on July 9, we will play a friendly match with the Polish team, as we will be based in Poland for some time before the European Championship.
-Our national team is represented by players from 13 clubs. Will this affect the team's chemistry?
- Previously, there were mostly representatives of two teams (Dynamo and Shakhtar). But now many performers are playing at a high level, representing the first club teams, so when choosing players, priority was given to them.
- How well did you manage to study your group rivals?
- We have all the information we need. I think our coaching staff has studied the opponents well. Now the main thing is to convey all our thoughts to the guys, and for them to use it on the football field.
- Is Italy thefavorite of our quartet?
- On paper, indeed, this team stands apart. The Italians confidently passed their group in the elite round, but I would not rush to conclusions yet. In the final part, all teams can surprise you.
- What task does the Ukrainian national team face in the upcoming tournament?
- We will set the team maximum tasks, but first of all, I would like to make it to the U-20 World Cup.
