Sudakov: We all grew up, gained experience, almost every member of our squad played in European competitions

Midfielder of the youth team of Ukraine Georgy Sudakov commented on the team’s victory over France in the 1/4 finals of Euro 2023 (3:1). Recall that the Shakhtar midfielder was recognized as the best player of the meeting.

“According to today’s game, I cannot single out anyone – Mudrik or Bondarenko … The whole team fought, was one. If we talk specifically about our tandem with Mikhail, then, of course, we feel each other. I used to give him similar passes and he scored, we had slightly different roles. But I know what he is capable of, how he can give back, so my task was to run and open up. And so it happened.”

“We took apart the French, they play very high, so we have to play behind their backs. Therefore, I ran to the zone, and Mudrik passed. The pass was similar to the one he gave in the national team match against North Macedonia at Tsygankov. He knows how, we all know it very well. So there is no special chemistry here – just a game moment.

“I have already said that, first of all, we have changed. We cannot compare this year and last. We all grew up, gained experience, almost every one of our squad played in European competitions. If we talk about me, I have already had several fights for the national team. After such games, you have experience, you play such matches in a completely different way. That’s why you can’t compare.”

“And Ruslan Petrovich rightly said that this is a completely different team. In France, the team has not changed much, if you take it by last name, like ours. But first of all, we changed individually, in terms of skill. Another experience, everyone’s level of play has grown several times. We need to build on our game, no matter who the opponent is. We showed today that if we play as one team, we can play football with the ball. Of course, in France all the players are strong individually, it is difficult to defend against them. There were times when you had to be patient. But I am sure that all Ukrainians who watched the match are proud of us, because we know how to play football, and not just fight back, ”Sudakov said.

In the semi-finals of Euro 2023, the Ukrainian U-21 team will play against Spain. Recall that the teams have already met at the group stage of the tournament and tied 2:2. The match will take place on July 5 at 22:00 Kyiv time.

In another semi-final match on July 5, the teams of England and Israel will play. The game will start at 19:00. The Euro 2023 final is scheduled for July 8.

In addition to reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship, the victory over the French team allowed the Ukrainian team to break through to the 2024 Olympic Games.