Mihavko: We expect only victory from the match against Northern Ireland

National team defender Ukraine U-19 Taras Mihavko commented on the upcoming 2024 European Youth Championship and the tournament’s opening match against Northern Ireland.

“We expect nothing but victory from the match against Northern Ireland. We need to win because it is the first match and it is important to start the tournament well.”

“We are all motivated and looking forward to the game. Northern Ireland are a very organised, disciplined team. They are the hosts of the Euros and they will be very motivated because the fans will be coming. And I hope we can cope with that pressure and win.”

“There is no excitement as such before the start of the Euro. Everyone is motivated, focused, they know why we came here, what we want. Therefore, the mood is only fighting.”

The Ukrainian U-19 team will play in Group A at the 2024 European Youth Championship, where its opponents will be Northern Ireland (the tournament hosts), Norway and Italy. In Group B, the youth teams of Denmark, Turkey, France and Spain will compete for a place in the semi-finals.

The schedule of matches of the Ukrainian U-19 team at the upcoming European Youth Championship 2024 has already been determined. The blue-yellows will play all three games in Larne. The first opponent of Dmitry Mykhailenko’s team will be the host team of the event – Northern Ireland, the match against which will take place today, July 15.

Two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. In addition, since the continental championship will also serve as UEFA’s qualifier for the 2025 World Cup (U-20), the teams that finish third in their groups will play for the fifth European spot at the World Cup. The final match of the 2024 U-19 European Championship will be held on July 28.