Ukraine's Women's Handball Team Finalizes Roster for Euro 2026 Qualifying Matches

According to a statement from the press service of the Handball Federation of Ukraine, the team that will represent Ukraine in the final matches of the Euro 2026 qualifying round has been finalized. The matches are scheduled for April 8 against Sweden and April 12 against Serbia. The roster includes 17 handball players from various clubs both in Ukraine and abroad, highlighting the diverse talent that will compete on the international stage.

Among the goalkeepers selected for the national team are Maria Gladun, who plays for the Czech club Baník Most, Yelyzaveta Pastelyak from Spartak-SHVSM, and Anastasia Lazorak, representing the Slovak club Juventa. These players are expected to play a crucial role in defending the team's goal, and their experience will be invaluable during critical moments of the matches.

In the line positions, Irina Prokopyak and Karina Kolodyuk, both from the club Halychanka, will take the field. These players bring extensive international experience and are capable of providing strong support for the team in both attack and defense.

The playmakers for the team will include Tamara Smbatyan, who plays for the Hungarian club Alba Fehérvár, Lyubov Rosokha from Kiszvarda, and Anastasia Bondarenko from the Polish club Ruch Chorzów. These players are noted for their high technical skills and ability to control the game, which is critical for the team's success.

The half-back positions will be filled by Yuliya Andriychuk from the Italian club Salerno, Milana Shukal from the Polish club Kobierzyn, as well as Anastasia Parkhomenko and Anastasia Orzhakhovska from Spartak-SHVSM. Irina Kompaniets and Karina Soskida, both from Juventa, have also joined the ranks of the half-backs, adding additional flexibility to the team's attacking strategy.

The wing positions will feature Viktoriya Malyovana from Halychanka, along with Daria Korets and Nadiya Furman from Spartak-SHVSM. These players are known for their speed and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, which could prove to be a decisive factor in matches against strong opponents.

The final matches of the second round of qualifying for the Euro 2026 championship are extremely significant for Ukraine. Only the top two teams from the group will secure direct qualification for the continental championship, while an additional four teams may qualify for the Euro based on their third-place rankings. This raises the stakes and the responsibility on the players, who must demonstrate their best qualities on the field.

The current standings in qualifying group 5 are as follows: Sweden leads with 8 points, Serbia has 4 points, Ukraine also has 4 points, and Lithuania is yet to score any points. This situation creates additional tension ahead of the matches, as each team strives to improve its chances of advancing to the final tournament.

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