Former defender of «Shakhtar» Oleksandr Kuchер shared his impressions from the draw of the final tournament of Euro-2025 U-21.
Oleksandr Kucher— It\'s hard to say whether we were lucky or not, because everything will become clear on the football field. The Dutch team calmly took first place in their qualifying group, winning all 10 matches. Their national team can indeed be considered favorites in our quartet.
Denmark also emerged from the top spot, being in a fairly tough group with Wales, Czech Republic, and Iceland. I remember our match against the Danes in March 2023, when we won 3:2, scoring in the last minutes.
The Finns were in an equal group with Romanians, Swiss, and Albanians. However, in the playoffs, they easily dealt with Norway, defeating them 5:1 in the first game, but in the second match, they somewhat relaxed and lost 1:2. So I don\'t think it will be easy for our national team.
— Generally, how would you evaluate the performance of the Ukrainian U-21 team in the Euro-2025 qualifying tournament? Until the last matches, the team was very confident, leading the group, and then: two defeats and second place, which can leave an unpleasant aftertaste.
— We saw that Melhosy\'s team looks very good. Indeed, the only unpleasant moment is that our youth team in the last games, after already solving the task of reaching the final tournament, didn\'t take the matches so seriously and lost the top spot. Somewhere we lacked concentration. For instance, in the second meeting with England, when we were leading, but lost 1:2.
Overall, we currently have a youth national team of a very good level. We have the result in the form of qualifying for Euro and that is the most important. The quality of the game is also present. Another positive point is that almost all players of the youth national team have playing practice in their clubs: in the Ukrainian Premier League or abroad.
— Melhosy\'s team has assembled a fairly strong squad with very good players. Here are Brazhko, Batagov, Rubchinsky, Ocheretko, Voloshin, Krasnopir — the list can go on for a long time. Which players from the youth team would you highlight as key in the blue-yellow collective?
— The selection of players is indeed solid. Besides their individual qualities, I would highlight the great dedication on the football field, the desire to play, and the hunger for victories. Among them, there are performers who are leaders in their clubs at such a young age. They are all in good shape. There isn\'t the situation anymore, as it was before, when players called to the youth national team were sitting on the bench in their teams or playing for the reserve.
— In the squad of the youth national team during Ruslan Rotan\'s time, there were obvious stars — Sudakov, Bondarenko, Trubin, and Mudrik. Currently, Melhosy\'s team doesn\'t have such loud names, but looks much more balanced.
— Yes, indeed. There are currently no such fluctuations in the skill level of players as there were before. All footballers are of high level, although they are not stars like Mudrik. The youth national team now has a balanced appearance — you are right. They all play football well. This includes Brazhko, Rubchinsky, Batagov, Voloshin — many more names can be mentioned. The main thing is that the team has a true collective. They complement each other, no one is trying to draw the blanket over themselves; they play primarily for the team.
— Euro-2025 will take place in Slovakia next summer, but it’s interesting to know how you evaluate the prospects of the youth national team in this tournament right now. Is Melhosy\'s team capable of repeating the success of Rotan\'s team, which reached the semifinals of the Euro-2023?
— On the football field, anything is possible. Our youth team has performed solidly in the recent friendly matches against strong opponents (draws with Portugal — 3:3 and Italy — 2:2 — ed.). Did you see what kind of defender we have — Batagov: he scored three times against the Portuguese! (two goals against Portugal and one own goal — ed.). The main thing is for the players not to burn out. There’s no need to stop at what has been achieved; they need to give 100% in every match.
— Who do you consider the main favorites of Euro-2025? Will the Cup go to the team whose national team is among the top? Or do teams that nobody bets on have significantly better chances of becoming champions in youth football, unlike adults?
— It’s hard to single anyone out since all teams are of a very high level. And Ukraine should not be underestimated either. We can become the dark horses of this tournament. The youth team has already demonstrated that it can defeat England (3:2) and play equally with Italy. We have very promising youth growing up, playing quality football, and already knocking on the doors of the national team. I can only wish our boys success; I hope for a worthy result.
Vladislav Liutostansky
