After the victory over the Italians (3:2) in the decisive group stage match of the UEFA Youth Euro 2024, the author of Ukraine's first goal, right winger of Kharkiv Metalist Gennadiy Synchuk, gave an interview to theSbirnawebsite.
- Gennadiy, in the episode with your goal, the ball bounced off the Italian's head. You reacted so quickly that it seemed as if you were expecting it.
- No, I couldn't expect the defender to make such a mistake. In that attack, Gusev made a pass on the flank, the ball bounced off the opponent and I had to react. Later, I saw that the goalkeeper came out of the goal and tipped it over.
Also, at the moment of my opening, I saw that the defender was somewhere on the same level as me. When he made a mistake and I scored, I was not even in a hurry to rejoice. But I looked at the sideline - he was silent. That's when we went to celebrate.
- Was this pass from Oleksiy Gusev a playful one, or a spontaneous moment in the game?
- The first option. In the pre-game training session, we practiced that I would break out into the middle and then go behind the back of the fullback. That's exactly what we did.
- The broadcast directors missed the moment of your goal. Only the episode with the celebration of the goal was shown live. Did you see it yourself later?
- Yes, I did. After the game, many people wrote to me that at first they didn't even realize who scored because the previous moment was broadcast during the goal. But later, on the replay, it was clearly visible how the goal attack went.
- Do you usually review your goals ?
- Yes, of course. I then sit down and watch our entire game on tape. And then we go to analyze the game in detail together with the coaching staff.
- In the match against the Italians, the team took the lead at first, but lost at the beginning of the second half (1-2). At that moment, only a victory was needed to reach the semifinals. How did you manage not to lose hope?
- The second goal was a blow to us, but we show character in every match. This is a traditional trait for the entire Ukrainian people. A little later, we managed to equalize the score (two minutes after the conceded goal, Danylo Krevsun equalized - ed.) and then our eyes lit up. We were well aware that we could score more.
- The first half of the match ended in a draw (1-1), which also did not take Ukraine to the next round. How did the coaching staff adjust the players during the break?
- Basically, they explained how we should play defense and said that they believed in us and that we would succeed.
- Between halves, did the coaches emphasize tactics or motivation?
- On motivation. We got into an emotional circle and charged up for the second half of the match and went into the second half as if it were the final.
And we analyzed Italy's game in detail before the match, so we knew its strengths and weaknesses. They mostly build their game through the middle of the field. So we were told to close this area, because all the danger came from there.
- Did you celebrate for a long time after Italy?
- No, we didn't. If only it was the final (smiles). But we still have two more matches: the semifinals and, hopefully, the final game. So the celebration will be after we win the gold medal.
- The next day you went to watch a match of the parallel group. What game did you go to and what did you learn?
- Someone went to the Turkey-Denmark match, and someone went to the France-Spain match. I attended the match of our semifinal opponents. To a greater extent, the actions of these teams were analyzed by the coaches, but I saw that France is very strong physically and individually.
This is not surprising, as most of them already play for the first teams of their clubs. We understand that this match will not be easy, but Ukraine got to the semifinals for a reason. So I think we can jump even higher.
- Who would you single out among your opponents?
- I really liked the football played by their number 20. I don't remember his name (18-year-old Monaco player Simon Boibre - ed.), but he scored and played very well.
- The teams played the first three matches of the championship on artificial turf. Then they switched to natural fields. How do you like the playing conditions in Northern Ireland?
- When we found out that the Euro group stage would be held on artificial pitches, we were very surprised, in a negative way. In Ukraine, everyone plays on natural pitches, but here they are artificial, which are not of the best quality. And this is very dangerous for injuries.
Transitions between types of fields also add to the difficulties. But we will prepare to make this transition smooth.
- The final match in the group was on July 21, and the game of the 1/2 finals was on July 25. There are only four days to adapt...
- Yes, but what can we do? The rules and conditions are such that we have to adapt to it. On Tuesday, July 23, we had our first training session on a natural field, and then had two days to get used to it. I hope that there will be no problems with adaptation.
- The match against France will take place at Windsor Park in Belfast. "Will the Blue and Yellows have the opportunity to train at this stadium?
- Probably not. Even when we played on artificial turf, we didn't have such an opportunity. We played on some fields and always trained on others.
- Does the team have free time in Northern Ireland?
- Yes, we have it now. Between matches we have training in the morning and then we are free. That's why we often go for a walk with the guys. We can, for example, go to a shopping center or stay in a hotel and play FIFA.
- Are there any places in Belfast that you remember for a long time?
- So far, Northern Ireland has not surprised me with anything. Compared to Ukraine, it's heaven and earth in favor of our country.
- Who do you often keep company with during your leisure time?
- I actually communicate with everyone a little bit. First with one person, and then with the others. We have such a team that everyone communicates. We are really one team.
- Is the good atmosphere in the team a merit of the coaching staff or something that has developed by itself?
- Both.
- Recently, you were in another team whose cohesion is noted by everyone - the Ukrainian Olympic team, which took part in the Maurice Revello tournament. Apart from age, what is the difference between the U-19 and U-23 teams?
- In terms of the game, there are already players with experience of matches in the UPL and European Cups. This is evident, as the guys are 23 years old and have already gotten stronger. Here (in the U-19) we are still young, 17-18 years old. There is a big difference in this.
- Do you remember being called up to Rotan's team?
- Yes, I could not imagine that this would happen. When they called and told me about it, I was shocked. To be selected for the Olympic team and go to such a tournament, and to win it, is unforgettable.
- Who was the most supportive member of that team?
- I didn't have a lot of time, but I made friends with several players. And everyone helped a little bit. Each player realized that I was the youngest in the team. That's why the guys tried to cheer me up a little bit.
- In the very first match of that tournament, the Ukrainian national team defeated Indonesia U-20 (3: 0), and you scored 1+1 on the goal+pass system. What emotions did you experience then?
- Scoring and making an assist in the first match for the Olympic team is just crazy emotions. And of course, my teammates and coaches congratulated me after the match.
- Yesterday, Rotan's team started participating in the 2024 Games. Before this tournament, the coaching staff had some problems with the squad, so they called a certain number of players with less experience to Paris. Did you expect to be included in the application for the Olympics?
- I didn't set myself such a task. But if I had been called up, I would have been very happy. Nevertheless, we have the Youth Euro now and I'm happy to be here.
- What is your forecast for the final result of Rotan's team?
- I don't want to guess, but I will say that they have very good coaches. And although many players have not been released, the players gathered are strong players. I believe this team can do well and go far at the Olympics.
- Recently, the media reported that two English teams are interested in you: "Leeds and Bradford. Can you confirm this information?
- I don't know anything about it. You should ask the management of Metalist. I haven't heard anything about anyone's interest.
- And your agent Oleksiy Alyokhin doesn't have any information about this either?
- They didn't tell me about it. They only said that I need to play well in Northern Ireland, and it will be seen.
- That is, Gennadiy Synchuk will definitely start the 2024/2025 season with Kharkiv?
- For now, I'm with the team at the Euros. It will be seen after the tournament, but everything is going to be fine - I will start with Metalist.
- Finally, a stupid question. Is it better to score a hat-trick and the team draw or not to score but win a minimal victory?
- Well, if I was given this option in the semifinals, then, of course, I would choose the victory over France (smiles).
Oleksandr Shcherbatykh