Ukrainian Youth Football Shines: U-18 and U-19 Teams Secure Key Victories

Ukraine U-18 Team Triumphs

According to Главком: Ukraine’s U-18 national football team claimed a 1-0 victory over Turkey in their third match of a youth tournament held in Croatia. The decisive goal came in the 28th minute, scored by Ivan Bahrii, a forward from Kharkiv-based club Metalist 1925.

This win was a crucial moment for the Ukrainian squad, which had previously drawn two matches:

• Finland U-18 (0-0)
• Norway U-18 (1-1)

Dmytro Mykhailenko served as the head coach of the Ukraine U-18 team during the tournament in Croatia.

Ukraine U-19 Team Achieves Major Milestone

Meanwhile, the Ukraine U-19 squad also notched a significant accomplishment by qualifying for the final stage of the 2026 European Championship. In the elite qualifying round, the Ukrainians defeated:

• Northern Ireland (1-0)
• Kazakhstan (3-0)

They also drew with Romania (1-1). At Euro 2026, Ukraine U-19 will compete in Group B alongside Italy, Croatia, and Serbia.

In other news, defender Tymofii Solodarenko has signed a new contract with German club Werder Bremen, where he will play for the Werder U-19 team. Solodarenko has been part of the Werder system since 2022, having left the Dynamo Kyiv academy. He moved to Germany after the start of the full-scale war and has progressed through all age levels of the club, from U-14 to U-19.

The achievements of Ukraine’s youth national teams highlight positive trends in the country’s youth football development, even amid challenging circumstances. The successes of the U-18 and U-19 sides in international tournaments underscore the potential of Ukrainian players, who could form the foundation for the senior national team in the future. Additionally, Solodarenko’s contract with a German club signals growing interest in young Ukrainian talent on the European stage.

The recent performances of Ukraine's youth teams have been impressive, particularly the U-18 squad's draw against Norway, which showcased their resilience in a competitive tournament. For a closer look at that match and its implications for the team's strategy moving forward, you can read more about it here.