On May 6, the Ukrainian youth national team U-16 (players no older than 2009) played their second match at the UEFA Development Tournament in Finland.
Photo: UAF press serviceThe "blue-yellow" team continued their preparation for the Euro-2026 U-17 qualification by participating in a tournament in Finland. In their first match, Alexander Sytnyk's team suffered a defeat to Greece (1:3), and now their opponents were the hosts of the tournament.
UEFA Development Tournament for youth national teams U-16
Ukraine U-16 — Finland U-16 — 0:1 (0:0)
Goal: Koivuranta (65)
Ukraine: Stepanov, Panchyshyn (Shapovalov, 68), Kvykviniya (Serdiuk, 46), Onyshchuk (C) (Levitsky, 46), Dyachok (Yermak, 46), Yablonsky, Voloshko (Rudzev, 68), Kozhushko (Ivanov, 68), Zadorozhniy (Horbatov, 46), Shvets (Dobrovolsky, 46), Kharkevich (Smotrytsky, 46).
Finland: Lahti (C), Heikari (Tarvajarvi, 80), Jungfu, Killonen (Pananen, 69), Korkala (Valkealah Ti, 69), la (Zaberka, 90), Koivuranta (Nybäck, 90), Vento, Everi (De Nasimento, 80), Arvoya, Mendolin (Myakelyainen, 80), Akvash (Malinen, 69).
In the first half, the Ukrainians managed to create two dangerous moments. First, Shvets narrowly missed the goal from the corner of the penalty area, and then Kvykviniya hit the crossbar from 15 meters. The opponent responded with Akvash's header, which Stepanov managed to save with some difficulty.
After the break, the Finns finally managed to score. In the 65th minute, after a multi-pass combination, Toivo Koivuranta proved to be the quickest in the Ukrainian penalty area and sent the ball into Stepanov's goal — 1:0.
The "blue-yellow" team had their best chance to equalize in the 84th minute, but two consecutive saves by the Finnish goalkeeper foiled the efforts of Serdiuk and Dobrovolsky. Unfortunately, it was the second defeat for the Ukrainian national team, which deprived them of any chance of winning the tournament.
Their last match in the tournament will be played on May 9 against Hungary (kick-off — at 10:00).
