The Ukrainian judo team won bronze at the European Championships for athletes under 23 in mixed team competitions. In the match for third place, Ukrainian athletes confidently defeated the Portuguese team with a score of 4:1.
The Ukrainian team participated in the mixed team competition at the continental championship for athletes under 23. In the quarter-finals, the ‘blue and yellows’ faced the Hungarian team and won a tense battle 4:3.
In the semi-finals, our judokas faced the French team. The Ukrainians lost 1:4, so they ended up in the bronze medal match, where their opponent was the Portuguese team.
In the decisive match, thanks to the efforts of Serhii Sokyrko, Mykola Hrybyk, Inna Shynkarenko and Said-Magomed Khalidov, the Ukrainians defeated their opponents 4:1, securing themselves a place on the podium.
This was the second consecutive award for the Ukrainian team at the European Youth Championships in mixed competitions: in 2024, our judokas won silver.
The Ukrainian national team consisted of 11 athletes: Inna Shynkarenko, Daria Boychenko, Anna Oliinyk-Kornieiko, Olga Tsymko, Anna Kazakova, Said-Magomed Khalidov, Denys Doktorov, Ivan Kutenkov, Serhii Sokyrko, Mykola Grybik and
Yaroslav Omelchenko.
The head coach of the Ukrainian women’s national football team, Volodymyr Pyatenko, shared his impressions of the draw for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers in a comment for Suspilne Sport.
The Ukrainian team learned who their opponents will be in the qualifiers – Pyatenko’s team will have to play in Division A against the true giants of women’s football: the reigning world champions Spain and the winners of Euro 2025, England.
After the draw results were announced, the Ukrainian team’s coach noted that being in a group with such powerful opponents is a challenge, but at the same time a great opportunity to prove themselves.
“We got, perhaps, the two strongest teams from the first two pots. There are no weak teams in Division A. If teams such as Switzerland, Portugal, Finland and Belgium are playing in Division B, that says a lot,” said Pyatenko.
Despite the difficult draw, the coach emphasised that the Ukrainian women are not afraid of any opponent: “We can compete with anyone. The stronger the opponents, the more interesting it is to play.
Ukraine U23 youth judo team. Ukrainian Judo Federation
‘We will prepare as thoroughly as we did for previous matches against the Czech Republic and Belgium. The main thing is to change tactically and mentally. The girls are ready for such challenges and are not afraid of anyone,’ he explained.
Pyatenko also added that his team is additionally motivated by the opportunity to play against the European champions: ‘What more motivation do you need when you’re playing against the best in the world? That’s motivation enough in itself.’
2027 Judo World Championships – draw and stages
In November, the Ukrainian women’s team plans to play two friendly matches against teams with a similar style of play to Spain and England. The names of the opponents have not yet been announced, but the coach noted that they will be representatives of divisions A and
B.
Eleven teams from Europe will travel to the 2027 World Cup.
Key dates for the qualifiers:
- 3 March – 9 June 2026 – group stage;
- 7-13 October and 26 November – 5 December 2026 – play-off round;
- February 2027 – intercontinental play-offs.
The winners of the groups in Division A will receive direct tickets, and seven more teams will be determined based on the results of a two-level playoff.
As a reminder, Ukraine convincingly defeated Algeria at the 2025 World Volleyball Championship.
