One player became a true “joker”: analyzing who pulled the team from the abyss
The junior team of Ukraine completed the first stage of qualification for the 2027 European Championship with a confident victory. The charges of Dmitry Mikhailenko defeated their peers from Estonia, securing their place in the elite.
RBC-Ukraine reports this, citing match results.
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Tournament standings before the match
The situation for the “blue and yellow” before the final round was critical. After defeats to Finland (1:2) and the Czech Republic (1:3), the Ukrainians needed only a victory to maintain their spot in League A.
According to the format rules, only the top three teams from the group continue their journey in the top division, while the outsider drops to League B.
Match progress: four unanswered goals
The fate of the confrontation was decided in the first half. In the 19th minute, Pavel Lyusin opened the scoring, taking advantage of a pass from Muhammad Dzhurabaev.
Soon, Nikolai Bodnar strengthened the advantage, assisted by Vlad Glyut. Glyut himself, before the break, made it a rout by scoring the team’s third goal.
In the second half, Alexander Balakay capped off the match. The midfielder sent the fourth ball into the Estonian net, again receiving a decisive pass from Dzhurabaev.
Results of the first round
Thanks to the three points earned, the Ukrainian national team took third place in Group 3.
Ahead were the Czech Republic and Finland, both of which earned 7 points. Estonia, with zero points, leaves the elite division.
The victory allowed the Ukrainians to advance to the second round of qualifying.
The team will learn about its future opponents after the draw, but it is already known that rematches with the Czechs and Finns in the next stage are excluded by the regulations.
