Dmytro Mykhailenko Shares His Thoughts on Ukraine U-19’s Euro 2026 Campaign
Ukraine’s U-19 head coach, Dmytro Mykhailenko, has offered his perspective on the team’s opening matches at the 2026 European Championship, where they will face Croatia, Italy, and Serbia. The first fixture is set against Croatia, a side that has twice claimed bronze at the U-19 Euros (in 1998 and 2010). Mykhailenko noted that the squad spent ten days training in Poland, during which they played one friendly match.
'We hope we’ve managed to get the players into the right physical shape. Those ten days were quite productive—we had one quality match that showed us both our current condition and the areas where we need to improve or keep working. We’re satisfied with our time in Poland and our form, and we’re really looking forward to the start of the tournament,' Dmytro Mykhailenko
Squad Lineup and Opponent Analysis
Regarding the starting lineup, Mykhailenko confirmed it is about 95% decided. 'We have a very competitive squad with many players at a similarly high level. Of course, I already have about 95% of the starting eleven in mind for the match against Croatia. But there are also players who can come off the bench and make an impact. It’s a balanced group of talent,' the coach added.
Mykhailenko described Croatia—who advanced from a group featuring France and Norway—as an intriguing opponent. 'They’re a team that enjoys playing with the ball, often building through the midfield, and they have many technically skilled players. It should be a very interesting game because we try to play in a similar style. We’ll see who is better prepared,' he emphasized.
Concluding his remarks, Mykhailenko highlighted the team’s ambition: 'We set the highest possible goals. We believe in this team and this group. We proved that in the qualifiers and the elite round. We want to reach the FIFA U-20 World Cup because that’s a different level and a valuable experience.' He also pointed out that several players have already made their senior national team debuts, which bodes well for the squad.
The U-19 European Championship represents a crucial opportunity for Ukraine not only to showcase their potential but also to gain experience that could benefit the players in their future careers. The team holds ambitious objectives and hopes for a strong performance, which could open new doors for these young footballers on the international stage. Competing against sides like Croatia, Italy, and Serbia will add extra pressure, but it may also serve as a catalyst for growth and development among the Ukrainian players.
As the U-19 team gears up for their challenging matches in the Euro 2026 tournament, it's essential to look ahead to their future prospects. The squad is already preparing for the upcoming Euro 2027 qualifiers, where they will face new opponents. To learn more about the teams Ukraine will compete against in the next stage, check out our detailed analysis of Ukraine's U-19 upcoming rivals.