It was a showcase of soccer mega-talents that we can hear a lot more about. And a big bundle of money. After the events in the Košice football arena got off to a great start, another attractive early evening awaited her on Monday. Due to the war in Ukraine, the venue for the U21 qualifier was Ukraine – England.
The rosters of both teams featured players whose aggregate market value, according to transfermarkt, is 250.45 million euros. The English team, which arrived in Košice with players for 233.3 million euros, is playing in this direction.
Captain Harvey Elliott (FC Liverpool, 35 million), Noni Madueke (Chelsea, 30 million), Tino Livramento (Newcastle, 30 million), and Rico Lewis (Manchester City, 20 million) joined the starting line-up. Although the Ukrainians (17.15 million) cannot match the English in this regard, they confirmed in Košice that paper forecasts do not decide matches.
The young Ukrainians built a two-goal lead in the first half, to the delight of a large part of the very well-filled audience (more than 3,200 spectators). After the break, the English first missed and when they equalized at 2:2 in the 89th minute, it seemed that the points would be shared.
For both teams, it would be the first loss of points in the qualification for the promotion to EURO 2025, which will be held in Slovakia, as they managed the opening two matches to the fullest. Ukraine’s 3:2 win was decided by substitute Iľja Kvasnycja with a cross shot in added time.
England captain: A mix of emotions
The English players did not want to talk to the media after the match. The team captain was an exception.
“It’s a mix of emotions. We did not lower our heads, against a strong opponent we were able to get back into the game and score two goals in the second half. At the end, we lost our concentration, it cost us a point gain.” said Elliott, who contributed two goals to a 9-1 dismantling of Serbia four days earlier.
After the match with Ukraine, he appreciated not only the atmosphere in the stands, but also the opposing players and their country.
“They played with heart, showed passion and toughness. They fully deserved it, we are all with them and stand behind Ukraine. I congratulate the opponent,” said the 20-year-old football player, who played in six Liverpool matches in the current Premier League season.
He also arrived near Košice. They will be one of the venues of the championship in 2025, to which teams, including England, are trying to advance from the qualification.
“The field was difficult. The stadium is nice. When it’s fully finished and ready for the EUROs, it will be great.” stated the Liverpool star.
Big deal. They were losing their voice
There was great joy in the camp of the Ukrainian national team. It was strengthened even more by the fact that the team snatched an extremely valuable win for their side in the final seconds.
“These are incredible emotions. It is our first win over England in this age category. We are very happy. It made me lose my voice,” striker Bohdan Vjunnyk commented with a smile.
He also appreciated the atmosphere in the stands. “There were many spectators, for which we are very grateful. This victory is for them, as well as for all the people of Ukraine and our army,” declared the Shakhtar Donetsk player, who spent the past year on loan at FC Zürich and GAK Graz.
“All the goals were beautiful. Also the atmosphere. We didn’t expect her to be like this. The audience gave us strength and drove us forward. They helped us a lot. Beating a strong English team is a big thing for us,” added Oleh Očeretko, the author of an exhibition goal from a direct kick, with which he increased his team’s lead to 2:0 shortly before the halftime break.
Ukraine rose to the top of the qualifying F-group with 9 points. England is second with 6 points, a score ahead of Serbia.
2023-10-17 05:40:00
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