Pyatenko: Positive emotions, corrected some nuances after the first match with Turkey

Head coach Ukrainian women’s national football team Vladimir Pyatenko spoke about the victory over Turkey in the qualifying playoffs European Championship 2025.

“Positive, only positive emotions. Game? We drew conclusions after the first match, corrected some nuances, and therefore played to zero. But there were still mistakes, and in the second half we gave the initiative to the opponents. However, it’s good that everything ended well.”

“Turkish players pulled us out of our zones. They pulled us out of positions on the flanks, and only then we did not have time to prevent passes into our penalty area. This happened in the second game too, but to a lesser extent.”

“The joy was unrestrained, victory is a positive thing. But we won’t rejoice for long, because the next opponents are already very serious. What do I expect from Belgium? Greece held out with them for 120 minutes before conceding the first goal. In the first game they didn’t concede, in the second – only in the 36th minute. Belgium is a top team, we expect a tough game, we will give it our all, we are preparing to beat them. We have a good example, two matches with Wales.”

The Ukrainian national team beat Turkey in the return match of the first round of the qualifying playoffs for Euro 2025 (2:0). The first meeting ended in a draw, 1:1. Next, Pyatenko’s team will meet with the Belgian team, which passed Greece.

The matches of the second round of selection will be held from November 27 to December 3, and based on their results, direct participants in Euro 2025 will be determined. The draw for the final part of the European Championship will take place on December 16.