UEFA U21: Spain and Ukraine meet in semi-finals, achieving record 12 top-four finishes
Posted : 05 July 2023
Spain and Ukraine will face each other in the semi-final of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, having already met in the group stage. Spain, reaching the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive tournament, have equalled Italy's record with 12 top-four finishes and are making their 11th appearance in the semi-finals. In contrast, Ukraine is in the last four for only the second time and the first in 17 years.
In their previous encounter, a 90th-minute goal from Abel Ruiz secured a 2-2 draw for Spain against Ukraine, allowing Spain to top Group C on goal difference.
The match was closely contested, with Ukraine taking the lead through Bohdan Viunnyk, Spain equalizing with an own goal from Ivan Zhelizko, Ukraine regaining the lead with a penalty from Georgiy Sudakov, and finally Ruiz rescuing a point for Spain.
The teams' history includes a 3-0 victory for Spain in the 2011 finals, where Ukraine suffered their heaviest defeat in U21 Championship history. Spain finished first in Group B, while Ukraine ended up at the bottom with just one point.
They have also faced each other in qualifying matches for the 2004 finals and have a history of encounters in other age categories, such as the Under-17 Championship.
The upcoming semi-final clash between Spain and Ukraine promises to be an intense battle as both teams aim to secure a spot in the final and continue their quest for the U21 Championship title.
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