Ukraine’s Sokká Team Advances to Euro 2026 Knockout Stage
Sokkká, a 6-a-side variant of football played on a 30x50 meter pitch with 2x5 meter goals and 25-minute halves, is gaining traction internationally. Ukraine’s national sokká team has clinched a place in the Euro 2026 playoffs, with the tournament’s knockout rounds beginning on May 23, 2026. The Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches will be hosted in Albania. Ukraine’s fixture is scheduled to kick off at 18:35 Kyiv time.
Clash with Kazakhstan and Team Roster
In their final group-stage match, the third round of Group G, Ukraine faced Kazakhstan. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. Ukraine struck first in the 13th minute with a goal from Vitalii Hoshkoder, but Kazakhstan responded swiftly: Dossov equalized in the 22nd minute, and Eginzhanov put his team ahead in the 28th. Mykyta Komisar leveled the score again in the 40th minute, sealing the draw.
That result allowed Ukraine to finish atop Group G, securing their playoff berth. The national team roster includes:
- Goalkeepers: Roman Pazenko, Oleksandr Poslavskyi
- Field Players: Serhii Maksymets, Serhii Hybal, Anton Ross, Dmytro Melnychuk, Yevhen Melnychuk, Mykyta Komisar, Vitalii Kuzmak, Kyrylo Duchev, Oleksahdr Kozin, Ivan Hryhoriev, Vladyslav Sokol, Vitalii Hoshkoder, Denys Yarych
The head coach is Mykhailo Shevchenko, with Sviatoslav Markanych serving as his assistant.
Ukraine’s advancement to the Euro 2026 playoffs marks a significant milestone for the squad, proving their ability to compete at a high level. This gives the team a chance to debut in an international tournament of this scale, which could greatly boost sokká’s popularity back home. Given the players’ experience and talent, Ukraine stands a strong chance of making a deep run in the next stage.
As Ukraine's sokká team prepares for the upcoming Euro 2026 playoffs, the excitement for international competitions continues to grow. Fans of Ukrainian sports can also look forward to another thrilling event, as the national hockey team gears up for the 2026 World Championship. With both teams showcasing their talents on the global stage, this is a pivotal moment for Ukrainian sports.