On Thursday, February 19, the Ukraine U18 youth national team played their second friendly match against their Italian counterparts.
The first match between the sides ended in an entertaining 2:2 draw. The «Blue and Yellows» conceded a late equalizer from the penalty spot in stoppage time of the second half. Two Dynamo players took part in that game – Ivan Andreiko and Pavlo Liusin, with Liusin scoring one of Ukraine’s goals.
In the second friendly the coaching staff rotated the squad, giving playing time to those who had not featured in the opening match. Defender Danylo Ohorodnik started the game while midfielders Arsenii Fedorenko (63rd minute) and Pavlo Liusin (77th minute) came on as substitutes in the second half.
Thanks in part to a solid defensive performance – including from the Dynamo defender – Ukraine kept a clean sheet. The only goal of the match came in the final minute of the first half when Stuttgart forward Kirill Serdiuk picked up the ball near the edge of the penalty area, advanced into a shooting position and fired past the goalkeeper.
Italy U18 – Ukraine U18 – 0:1 (0:1)
Goal: Serdiuk (45)
These friendlies served as preparation for the first qualifying round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027. Ukraine will compete in Group A3 alongside the Czech Republic, Finland and Estonia. The mini-tournament will take place in Finland from March 25 to March 31.
