Ukraine’s Girls’ Futsal Team Claims Historic Youth Olympic Gold with a 4-3 Overtime Win Over Venezuela

Ukraine’s Girls’ Futsal Squad Secures First-Ever Youth Olympic Gold in 2026

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: The Ukrainian girls’ futsal team made history at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games by capturing their first-ever gold medal. In a thrilling final, they edged out Venezuela 4-3 in overtime. This milestone victory is especially significant as the Ukrainian team had never qualified for the Youth Olympics since their debut in 2018.

Highlights from the Championship Match

The final showdown against Venezuela featured a gripping back-and-forth battle. Margarita Ruchka put Ukraine ahead early, scoring in the 7th minute. Venezuela’s Elyaniz Pas leveled the score at 16 minutes after capitalizing on a mistake by Alina Gordiyenko. Just seven seconds into the second half, Oksana Shevchuk assisted Ruchka, who restored Ukraine’s lead.

The match remained fiercely competitive. Venezuela’s Valeski Gutellas equalized again at the 31st minute. Then, with only four minutes left in regulation, Eva Shchavinska gave Ukraine the advantage once more. However, Venezuela managed to tie the game 3-3 just 20 seconds before full time, pushing the contest into overtime.

In the extra period, Adelina Vlasenko scored the decisive goal after receiving a pass from Angelina Zaporozhets, clinching the gold for Ukraine. This win marked their second victory over Venezuela in the tournament, having also defeated them 5-4 in overtime during the group stage.

Securing this gold medal is a landmark achievement for Ukrainian sports and could serve as a catalyst for the growth of futsal nationwide. The triumph at the Youth Olympic Games highlights the rising talent and international competitiveness of Ukraine’s female athletes. This breakthrough victory is poised to inspire the next generation of young footballers across the country to pursue excellence in sport.

In their remarkable journey to victory, the Ukrainian girls’ futsal team first topped their group, showcasing their strength and skill before advancing to the final. Their impressive performance against Italy in the semifinals set the stage for this historic gold medal match. To learn more about how they overcame challenges and secured their spot in the final, check out the details of their group stage triumph here.