The Macedonian U-17 national team managed to achieve one of the most significant results in youth football in recent years by securing a place in the Elite Phase of the European Championship qualifiers. Macedonia U-17 qualified for the Elite Phase for the first time since 2017 when the then generation led by Goran Stanić managed to pass the qualifying group for the Elite Phase.
The tournament organized by the Football Federation of Macedonia in Strumica brought excellent matches and strong competition. In a group with the Czech Republic, Hungary and Gibraltar, the young hopefuls led by coach Vladko Kolev played with discipline and faith in success, securing a place among the best.
Vlatko Kolev – Macedonia U-17 coach:
"We achieved a truly excellent result. In a very difficult group, we managed to secure a place in the elite qualifiers, and at no point did we seem inferior, not even against the Czech Republic, and even less so against Hungary. In the third match, when we were chasing goal difference, the boys showed character and faith. This is a great motivation for all of us, but we are not stopping here. We will prepare as well as possible for the March matches with the strongest teams and I can promise that we will fight until the last match."
The placement of the U-17 generation in the elite phase of the European Championship qualifications is a clear indication that the new approach and system of work in youth football are bringing results. The changes in the organization and approach to the development of young footballers create a basis for progress and continuity. The success of this generation of footballers is the best confirmation of that.
