This is the third gold for the Ukrainian team in the tournament – after triumphs in 2017 and 2023. According to this indicator, “blue and yellow” was equal to the record holders of the competition-the national team of Serbia, which won the championship three times in a row in 2009–2011.
After this triumph of the national team of Ukraine, Oleksandr Milenko gave an interview for public sports, which told about matches in the “Finals of Four”, the value of the third title for the national team of Ukraine, and also shared thoughts on preparation for the 20125 World Cup.
This victory for us, athletes, is both its own achievements and in general for the national team of Ukraine, – says Milenko.
It is a sign that we can manifest itself, show and acquire such titles. It means a lot, not only for us, but for the whole country. Therefore, emotions are unsurpassed.
For Oleksandra Milenko, this is the second title in the golden Eurosis within the national team of Ukraine. On the way to the victory, the road player played one of the key roles: according to the results of the group stage, the 26-year-old volleyball player took fourth place among the most successful in the team, scoring 56 points, and in the decisive matches of the Four finals added another 20.
This is my second victory with the national team, and it motivates. You look at our team and you realize that we have done it twice; You see that we can much more and much better.
Throughout the season of the Golden Euroleiga, Ukraine has only defeated – in the penultimate round of the group stage from the Sweden national team. However, in the semifinals, it was in the Swedes of Blue and Yellow that they took a revenge, winning without a single loose set.
Before the match-Revach, special attention was paid to the national team of diagonal isabel Gok, which in the first duel won 28 points. Oleksandra Milenko emphasized that the team studied the game of rivals and their key play.
The first thing we worked on was to change our protection system for her [Гок]. Analyzed the direction of her attack. Another task was after her attack, if we lift this ball in defense, to implement our attack. We could not play either or them. There was an installation, and we worked it out. The tactics in defense have changed under it.
They may have underestimated us after a loose game. Then it was really, let’s say so, an unpleasant game for us – we did not show ourselves as we can. We have changed, I would say, because it came out more configured, more aggressive, especially, because it is semifinals. We have already reached the final four, so we now had to reach the finals and not stop there.
Oleksandra Milenko especially noted the second set of the match against Sweden. The Ukrainians conceded 17:20, but were able to win eight points in a row and break the game.
Each had a fire in the eyes, each had a desire. And, first, we do not like to lose, no one loves. In order not to allow them to play and feel more confidence, we needed to press them. We did it first and foremost a supply, very much knocked down them. We had a lot of Aise. And, of course, it undermines the team spirit and setting up to play the team of rivals. This is the first thing that helped us return to these five points. And a good attack is really realized. Protection – attack, protection – attack.
However, in the finals of Alexander Milenko expected to meet with Romania, not Hungary. The Romanians were very close to the final, but gave way to the Hungarians on Taibreik.
Personally, my opinion is the Romanians stronger than the fidget. If we met with the Romanian national team in the finals, even after a difficult game with Sweden, who would not have a score on the scoreboard, but every party is a dedicated forces, emotions. And the final game is immediately the next day, that is, there is no time for recovery. And with Romanians it would be harder than with Hungary.
We have played with Hungarians repeatedly before that, as well as in golden European. So most of them I know, I remember what they do, what they know. It was not something super new for us. In addition, we have well disassembled their main attacker, diagonal at the 13th number [Анетт Немет]. It was a major threat because it can bring more than 20-25 points to its team. Therefore, the main task for us was to stop it: you will do it – the whole team will stop. Yes, in principle, it happened.
The next three weeks will be important for Ukraine in the context of the fight for the place in the League of Nations Volleyball for 2026. Blue and yellow are currently the first candidates for the tournament, but their fate will finally determine the results of other continental tournaments.
No, follow [за суперницями] I will not, I will not look. Then, in fact, I will look at the result that there and how lucky or unlucky. We look forward to the best.
Preparation for the most important part of the season – the World Volleyball Championship – for the Ukrainian national team will begin on July 17 in the Polish city by Radom. The tournament itself will be held from August 22 to September 7.
Source: Sport.ua