Spain successfully completes the penultimate trial ahead of the European Under-21 Championship competition.
Down and Dirty:
0 - Spain (Loss): Iturbe (Cuñat, 46), Juanlu Sánchez (Marc Pubill, 46), Tárrega (Hergoz, 46), Mosquera (Rafa Marín, 46), Gerard Martín (Hugo Bueno, 46); Jauregizar (Beñat Turrientes, 46), Javi Guerra (Pablo Marín, 46), Pablo Torre (Moleiro, 46); Diego López (Jesús Rodríguez , 46), Yeremay (Raúl Moro, 46) y Mateo Joseph (Roberto Fernández, 46)
1 - Ukraine (Win): Neshcheret (Yermakov, 46), Vivcharenko, Roman (Batahov, 64), Kozyk, Mykhavko (Vivcharenko), Brazhko, Ocheretko (Tsarenko, 75), Rubchynskyi (64), Braharu (Veleten, 83), Voloshyn (Kvasnytsia, 75) y Vanat (Viunnyk, 64)
Goal: 0-1, m.92: Illia Kvasnytsia
Referee: Sven Wolfensberger (Switzerland). Yellow cards: Voloshyn (m.39), Kozik (m.84) and Kvasnytsia (m.85) from Ukraine.
Situation: Friendly match between Spain and Ukraine, pre-Under-21 European Championship, played at Municipal Stadium of Santo Domingo (Alcorcón, Madrid, June 6, 2025).
Spanish Tragedy:
The Spanish Under-21 squad suffered a bitter defeat (0-1) against Ukraine in a dismal friendly match, preceding the upcoming European Championship in Slovakia, where Spain will make their debut against hosts Slovakia on June 11.
The winning blow was struck in stoppage time by Illia Kvasnytsia via a header against Hugo Bueno, ending Spain's chances in a match that lacked excitement and opportunities. Despite their best efforts, led by Real Sociedad player Beñat Turrientes, the Spanish team struggled to find their rhythm, with few chances to exploit.
Ukrainian Triumph
In the goalkeeping department, Rusian Neshcheret and Alejandro Iturbe shined with exceptional saves, thwarting attempts by Rafa Marín in the second half and Voloshyn in the first.
Both teams tested each other, though their true strategies for the upcoming European Championship remained hidden. Spain and Ukraine were drawn into Groups A and D respectively, alongside Slovakia, Italy, Romania, Finland, Netherlands, and Denmark. However, the match produced few memorable highlights for Spain's camp beyond Turrientes' steady leadership.
The Spanish team seemed primed for a stalemate after a shot by Roberto Fernández narrowly missed the mark following a cross from Hugo Bueno, but Kvasnytsia's header snatched the Ukrainian victory at the death.
In the friendly match before the Under-21 European Championship, a header by Illia Kvasnytsia in stoppage time gave Ukraine a (0-1) victory over Spain, casting a shadow over the Spanish squad's preparations for their debut against Slovakia in the competition. Despite the brilliant saves from goalkeepers Rusian Neshcheret and Alejandro Iturbe, the Spanish team struggled to find their rhythm, with few chances against Ukraine, who played in the same European-leagues as them.
