The women's national team of Ukraine will begin its performances at this year's European Championship with a match against one of the favorites of the competition, the team of Serbia. All our Group A games will be played in the Belgian city of Ghent at the Flanders Sports Arena.
European Championship 2023. Women
Group A. First round
Ghent (Flanders Sports Arena). Belgium
August 18. 18:00
Ukraine — Serbia
The national team of Ukraine is ready for new challenges
In the current season, the blue and yellows have already won the European Golden League title and performed well in the Challenger Cup, reaching the semi-finals. There, the girls, unfortunately, lost to the hosts of the tournament, the French team - 0-3. And in the match for the "bronze", they could not overcome the resistance of Colombia - 1-3.
Now Ivan Petkov's team will face a new test against powerful national teams at the championship of the continent. Ukrainian fans have high hopes for these competitions. Because the Ukrainians, with their confident and combinational game, significantly raised the bar compared to previous years.
And indeed now our team is one of the most promising versions of itself. So why not try to realize the full potential at Euro 2023?! Everything will work out if they will believe in their own strength!
Of course, a lot will also depend on the configuration of the attack leaders, for example, Anastasiia Kraiduba and Oleksandra Milenko. In any case, the national team of Ukraine is ready for the most serious challenges!
Our rivals are world champions and European vice-champions
The national team of Serbia is the current world champion and vice-champion of Europe. Therefore, it is quite clear that only victory is expected from them in any match.
In the last drawing of the continental championship in 2021, the Serbians reached the final without a single defeat. However, in order to raise the cherished cup above their heads, they lacked just one step. After all, in the decisive confrontation, they lost to the Italians with a score of 1-3.
Already the next year, our closest opponents became world champions, thereby defending their title. What's more, they won all twelve matches, in particular, in the final they beat Brazil without any problems - 3-0.
Serbian opposite player Tijana Bosković was awarded as the most valuable player (MVP) of the World Championship. In addition, the athlete, together with her teammates libero Teodora Pushych and setter Boyana Drcha, entered the symbolic team of those competitions.
The creator of Serbia's latest success was coach Daniele Santarelli. However, this season it was led by a new equally charismatic and successful mentor, Giovanni Guidetti.
The last place of his work at the national team level was Turkey. The specialist also coaches the Turkish team "Vakifbank", which he repeatedly led to victory in the Champions League and the Club World Championship.
The opponents of blue and yellows in the group stage
In addition to Serbia, Ivan Petkov's team will also play against Hungary, Belgium, Slovenia, and Poland in the group stage of the continental championship. Four national teams will advance to the 1/8 finals.
August 18
18:00 Serbia — Ukraine
August 19
18:00 Ukraine — Hungary
August 21
21:00 Belgium — Ukraine
August 23
18:00 Ukraine — Slovenia
August 24
18:00 Poland — Ukraine
Ranking of the national teams
At the moment, the national team of Ukraine is in 5th place in the world ranking, having 345.74 points. It is interesting that before the start of the Nations League 2023, they were at the top of this list.
However, Giovanni Guidetti's first acquaintance with the team led to the fact that the Serbians took only ninth place in the group stage and could not even enter the playoffs.
After debuting in the 2023 Challenger Cup, the "blue-yellows" found themselves outside the top 20 of a similar ranking. Now, with 153.77 points, they are in 22nd position.
Previous meetings
In its entire history, the women's national team of Ukraine met the team of Serbia only once. It was at the group stage of the 2011 European Championship, where our rivals won an "easy" victory. What's more, that year the Serbs eventually won the "gold" of the tournament.
The roster of the national team of Ukraine:
middle blockers: Svitlana Dorsman, Anastasiia Maievska, Uliana Kotar, Diana Meliushkyna;
setters: Daria Sharhorodska, Viktoriia Oliinyk;
outside hitters: Oleksandra Milenko, Yevheniia Khober, Nadiia Kodola, Yuliia Dymar;
the opposite: Viktoriia Danchak, Anastasiia Kraiduba;
liberos: Krystyna Niemtseva, Alika Lutsenko;
head coach: Ivan Petkov.
The roster of the national team of Serbia:
middle blockers: Jovana Stevanovic, Mina Popovic, Maja Aleksic, Hena Kurtagić;
setters: Maja Ognjenovic, Bojana Drča;
outside hitters: Bianka Busa, Sara Lozo, Katarina Lazovic, Aleksandra Uzelac;
the opposites: Tijana Bošković, Ana Bjelica;
liberos: Teodora Pusic, Aleksandra Jegdic;
head coach: Giovanni Guidetti.
Watch broadcasts of the matches of the national team of Ukraine at the championship of the continent on the YouTube channel DiviSport.
