The UEFA European Under-19 Championship reaches its crucial stage as France U19 faces Ukraine U19 in a highly anticipated semi-final clash. Set for July 25, 2024, at 18:00 UTC, the match will unfold at Windsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Match Preview
France U19, winners of Group B, have impressed throughout the tournament. Les Bleuets secured their semi-final spot with two wins and a draw in the group stage. Their journey included a commanding 4-2 victory over Denmark and a hard-fought 2-1 win against Turkey. In their final group match, they showed resilience to earn a 2-2 draw against Spain.
Ukraine U19 finished as runners-up in Group A, remaining undefeated with one win and two draws. The young Yellow-Blues displayed remarkable tenacity, especially in their crucial 3-2 triumph over Italy, which sealed their place in the semi-finals. Their group stage also included two goalless draws against Norway and hosts Northern Ireland.
Projected Lineups
Predicted France U19 Lineup (4-3-3): Joao, Bahoya, Kumbedi, Atangana, Bouabre, Soumahoro, Benama, Gomis, Jacquet, Kroupi, Aiki, Bengui
Predicted Ukraine U19 Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mykhavko, Gadzhiev, Krevsun, Melnychenko, Synchuk, Yermachkov, Vashchenko, Ponomarenko, Krapyvstov, Matkevych
Key Players to Watch
For France, Saimon Bouabre has been a standout performer, already netting twice in the tournament. His spectacular finish against Spain in the group stage highlights his potential to be a game-changer.
Ukraine’s hopes will largely rest on Matviy Ponomarenko. The Dynamo Kyiv striker has been in excellent form, scoring seven times in eight games during qualifying and the finals combined.
Injury Updates
Both teams appear to have full squads available, with no major injury concerns reported ahead of this crucial fixture.
Where to Watch
You can catch the action live on various platforms:
- UEFA.tv (International)
- ViX (USA and Puerto Rico)
- BBC iPlayer (UK and Ireland)
- L’Équipe Live Foot (France)
Form Guide
France U19: W-W-D Ukraine U19: D-D-W
Head-to-Head
Today’s match will be the fourth meeting between France U19 and Ukraine U19 in recent years. Their head-to-head record shows:
- 25/07/24: France U19 vs Ukraine U19 (Upcoming match)
- 17/07/18: France U19 1-2 Ukraine U19
- 09/07/15: Ukraine U19 1-3 France U19
These previous encounters in the UEFA Under-19 Championship (UUC) demonstrate that both teams have had success against each other. Ukraine secured a victory in their most recent clash in 2018, while France won convincingly in 2015. This history adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming semi-final, as both sides will be eager to gain the upper hand in their head-to-head record.
Tournament Standings
France topped Group B with 7 points, while Ukraine finished second in Group A with 5 points.
Who Will Win?
This semi-final clash is poised to be a closely contested affair. France’s attacking prowess, evidenced by their group stage performance, gives them a slight edge. However, Ukraine’s resilience and ability to grind out results cannot be underestimated.
France U19 vs Ukraine U19 Prediction: France U19 1-0 Ukraine U19
France’s superior firepower and tournament experience might just be enough to see them through to the final. However, expect Ukraine to put up fierce resistance, potentially turning this into a nail-biting encounter decided by the finest of margins.
As these young talents take center stage at Windsor Park, football fans are in for a treat. This semi-final not only promises high-quality football but also offers a glimpse into the future of European soccer.
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