Ukraine-Croatia is a match in the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and is played on Wednesday at 18:00: news, formations and predictions.
Ukraine haven’t reached the final stage of an Under-21 European Championship since 2011, when they were eliminated in the group stage.
The Ukraine fared much better in 2006, when they reached the final as debutants in the event organised by Portugal, only raising the white flag against the Netherlands. Ruslan Rotan’s men, led by Chelsea star Mykhaylo Mudrik – the striker may be absent in the first group stage match as he is involved in Euro 2024 qualifying with the senior national team – had to go through the play-offs to qualify, having finished second in their group behind France. It was not easy for Ukraine to get the better of Slovakia, who came back 3-0 in the return match after losing the first leg 3-2. In the friendlies played since last November, the selection led by the former Dnipro midfielder have recorded three draws, two wins and one defeat, which came in March against Paolo Nicolato’s Italy. The feeling is that they will play for everything already on the first day against Croatia.
The favourite for victory in Group B is obviously Spain. And in all likelihood it will be Ukraine and Croatia who will have to be careful of Romania, one of the two organising countries together with Georgia, who will have to contend for second place.
Skocic
Qualifying for the final stage was no picnic for the Croatians either, as they only came out on penalties in the playoff against Denmark. Selector Dragan Skocic will be relying on the talented 2003 class of Martin Baturina, a Dinamo Zagreb midfielder already in the sights of several major clubs. Another one to keep an eye on in Croatia is Gabriel Vidovic, owned by Bayern Munich and fresh from his loan at Vitesse.
The prediction
It is hard to see a clear favourite, between two selections who are starting their adventure with the lights off but who have what it takes to surprise. A draw cannot be ruled out, in a match with at least one goal each.
The official line-up for Ukraine v Croatia
- UCRAINE U21 (4-3-3): Nescheret; Sych, Taloverov, Batagov, Vivcharenko; Bondarenko, Brazhko, Kryskiv; Kashchuk, Sikan, Viunnyk.
- CROATIA U21 (4-3-3): Kotarski; Sigur, Soldo, Perkovic, Colina; Baturina, Prsir, Kacavenda; Frigan, Beljo, Vidovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
