Yesterday, June 15, the youth national team of Ukraine played their second match in the group stage of Euro-2025 (U-21). The blue and yellow team defeated the Finnish team — 2:0. This victory leaves Unai Melgosa’s charges with decent chances to advance from the group.Our expert for this tournament, the authoritative specialist in youth and young adult football Yuriy Moroz, spoke about the match against the Finns and the further struggle for advancement to the playoffs.
Yuriy Moroz— Yuriy Leontiyovych, have we fulfilled the main task for today?
— If we talk about the match against Finland, then yes. The guys did well, the victory — 2:0 was well-deserved. Vanat — good looking, Bragaru, although not without a touch of luck, also did well since he was well-placed for the second goal. We were, as they say, in the game.
— How do you assess the actions of the Ukrainian national team in the match against Finland, compared to the game against Denmark?
— First of all, I noticed changes in the lineup (smiles). In my opinion, with the emergence of Taras Mykhavko, the game in the center of defense has become more reliable. In the first half, constructive actions came from him and Arseniy Batagov at the initial stages of the attacks. Plus, Ruslan Neshcheret led the defense very well. In the match against the Finns, there was no fuss around our goal; we were reliable.
— The level of Yarmolyuk, who started, is not in doubt?
— We talk a lot about this player. He proves his ability with his performance in the club. But today I can’t say that Yegor was the figure on the field, as Oleh Ocheretko was in the game against Denmark. I expected a bit more from a player in the English Premier League; he has proven himself before. He was not active when he had the ball.
I would praise Volodya Bragko, who seemed a bit unnoticeable, but his coefficient of useful actions was very high. Due to his minor fouls, he did not allow the Finns to accelerate their attacks, allowing our attacking players to return to defense.
Yes, his emotions slightly let him down, but there’s nothing to be done about that. I am not the team’s coach, so I can’t be responsible for the mentor, but he could have been replaced a bit earlier to avoid reaching a dismissal.
— So, based on your words, can we assume that the best player in the last match was indeed Bragko...
— You journalists always need specifics. I would highlight Vanat. As for Bragko, in the case of the second yellow card, the referee was swayed by the slalom of the Finnish player, although there may have been no contact at all.
— Didn’t Vanat get tired a minute before the 60th? After all, he was replaced not without reason shortly thereafter?
— Vladyslav scored the winning goal. As for the 60th minute, for now, this is our problem. We again started to play to maintain the score. What are the Finns strong at? Team play, discipline, self-sacrifice. And around that time, in this aspect of the game, the opponent began to outplay us. Their individual skills are weak, which did not give them a chance to solve the set task, that is, to come back. The Danes are much stronger in this regard.
— If we had a few more like Topi Keskinen, would it be harder for us?
— Definitely. This winger made Eduard Kozyka and then Volodymyr Salyuk sweat a lot at first. Fortunately for us, the Finns do not have players like Vanat or Bragaru, who can effectively resolve an episode.
— Will Unai Melgosa be able to find a worthy replacement for Bragko?
— I really hope so, although it will not be easy. In 1994, the Brazilians became world champions. I still cannot understand what role Dunga played in that team. But the fact remains a fact. His actions on the football field were not very noticeable, but they were with such efficiency that it is unimaginable. He resolved all issues in the midfield. And now for me, Bragko in the youth national team is like Dunga in the Brazil national team. Volodymyr is a team-organizing player. The potential of this footballer is limitless, but he still needs to work on self-improvement.
— Ahead is a decisive match against the Netherlands, in which a draw will suit the Ukrainian national team...
— Everything, as before, is in our hands. Of course, after Denmark's victory over the Netherlands, we will no longer be first, but second place could still be for the blue and yellow. At the same time, it would be a mistake to play for a draw in the last round; this could lose the team. In our country, I think, everyone will turn a blind eye to it so that the team reaches the quarter-finals.
Therefore, in the match against the Netherlands, I expect a super compensation from Unai Melgosa's charges. I believe they will run like horses...
Sergiy Demyanchuk
