Sports Mole previews Thursday’s European Under-19s Championship clash between Norway Under-19s and Ukraine Under-19s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Both seeking their first win at the 2024 European Under-19 Championship, Norway Under-19s and Ukraine Under-19s meet in Belfast on Thursday.
While the Norwegians lost their opening Group A fixture to Italy, Ukraine were held goalless by hosts Northern Ireland.
Match preview
After winning all six of their games during qualification, Norway were hoping to make a fast start to their seventh appearance at the European Under-19 Championship on Monday evening.
Having finally made it into the knockout phase this time last year, when their adventure ended abruptly with 5-0 semi-final loss to Portugal, much is expected of Luis Pimenta‘s young side.
However, despite taking the lead against reigning champions Italy, as Mats Pedersen set up Daniel Braut‘s 35th-minute opener, they conceded an equaliser just before half time; the Azzurrini then struck the woodwork twice in the second half, before Kevin Zeroli‘s strike decided the game.
After a 2-1 loss, Norway must react quickly, as not only is finishing inside Group A’s top two the only route through to the semis but it would also guarantee qualification for next year’s Under-20 World Cup.
Should they slip up again, a third-place finish may be the best they can hope for, resulting in an early exit from the Euros and leaving them at the mercy of a World Cup playoff against the third team in Group B.
Ukraine will kick off Thursday’s game with a slender advantage, as they already have one point on the board after playing out a goalless draw with the tournament hosts in Larne last time out.
Dmytro Mikhailenko‘s side were on top for most of the second half but could not find a way past Northern Ireland’s stubborn defence, so they will be keen to top up their points tally ahead of a final fixture against Italy.
Appearing at a European Under-19 Championship for the first time in six years – after topping their qualifying group without conceding a goal – Ukraine are ultimately aiming to replicate the 2009 squad that lifted the trophy on home soil.
Defeat in midweek, though, would leave them in a far weaker position heading into Sunday evening’s Group A finale.
Norway Under-19s European Under-19s Championship form:
Ukraine Under-19s European Under-19s Championship form:
Team News
After combining for Norway’s goal against Italy, Daniel Braut – younger brother of Erling Braut Haaland – and Mats Pedersen are expected to feature in the final third again on Thursday, particularly as seven-goal top qualifying scorer Sindre Walle Egele is unavailable.
The Nordsjaelland star was one of several players refused permission by their club to join the Under-19 national team this summer, alongside Sverre Nypan of Rosenborg and Tromso duo Runar Norheim and Jens Hjerto-Dahl.
Meanwhile, Ukraine are also without their main marksman: Matviy Ponomarenko scored six times in qualifying but has been carrying an injury.
Having failed to find the net last time out, Ukraine’s Dmytro Bogdanov faces competition from Kristian Shevchenko to start up front at Seaview.
Son of legendary striker, ex-senior boss and current FA president Andriy Shevchenko, the Watford prospect appeared as a second-half substitute against Northern Ireland and may now be moved up the pecking order.
Norway Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Borsheim; Rosten, Holten, Haram, Andresen; Helland; Pedersen, Hernes, Granaas, Bang-Kittilsen; Braut
Ukraine Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Krapyvstov; Gusev, Melnychenko, Mykhavko, Oharkov; Gadzhyiev, Vashchenko, Krevsun; Synchuk, Shevchenko, Matkevych
We say: Norway Under-19s 1-0 Ukraine Under-19s
Ukraine’s defence has been watertight this year, so Norway have a tough task on their hands to even find a way past such stubborn opponents. It may take one moment of magic – or a set-piece situation – to finally unlock the door.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.