Ukraine U-18 at the Friendly Tournament in Croatia
During the second round of a friendly tournament held in Croatia, Ukraine's U-18 national team played to a 1-1 draw against Norway. Markus Rid opened the scoring early in the first half, but Vasyl Hustei equalized ten minutes later by converting a rebound. In their opening match of the competition, the Ukrainian side also shared the points, finishing 0-0 against Finland. The U-18 squad will face Turkey in their final group game on June 9.
Ukraine U-19 Success
Beyond the U-18 team's performances, the Ukrainian U-19 squad, led by coach Dmytro Mykhailenko, has achieved a major milestone by qualifying for the 2026 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. In the elite round of qualifying, the team recorded victories over Northern Ireland (1-0) and Kazakhstan (3-0), along with a 1-1 draw against Romania. At Euro 2026, Ukraine will compete in Group B alongside Italy, Croatia, and Serbia.
Additionally, defender Tymofiy Solodarenko has signed a new contract with German club Werder Bremen and will continue playing for their U-19 team. Solodarenko, the son of Kudrivka club president Roman Solodarenko, has been part of Werder's system since 2022. He left the Dynamo Kyiv academy and moved to Germany after the start of the full-scale war, progressing through the club's age levels from U-14 to U-19.
Competitions for Ukraine's youth teams are a crucial step in player development and preparation for international tournaments. The U-19 side's qualification for Euro 2026 highlights the rising caliber of young Ukrainian talent. Meanwhile, the U-18 team's results at the friendly tournament in Croatia reflect a squad still in formation, one that could serve as the foundation for future success on the international stage.
As the U-18 team continues to build its competitive edge, understanding the roster announced for the Croatia tournament provides insights into the players' development and the strategic direction of Ukraine's youth football program. This foundational stage is essential for nurturing talent that can thrive in future international competitions.