In searing heat Ukraine defeated Serbia 24-4 at the FK Radnicki Stadium, Belgrade in the first quarter final of the 2024 European U19s Championship. The Ukrainians led 16-0 at the break and Ryan Jurkans’ try just before the hour sealed a merited win.

“It’s a terrific result for us, the boys got what they deserved,” said Ukraine U19s head coach Dan Beardshaw. “It was tough conditions, the boys have understandably not had much time together and made huge sacrifices to go into camp. They are great people with a wonderful work ethic and love wearing their badge. It’s a young squad, there are some 17-year-olds in it and still a work in progress, but they just want to learn and are keen for rugby league. A tournament like this is really exciting for them.”

Early pressure from Ukraine was turned into points as centre Klim Malyshev finished a passing move on the left hand side, Ihor Yefanov adding the conversion. The conditions meant understandable errors, Serbia’s Luka Bojicic bundled into touch as he made a break for the hosts.

Ukraine extended their lead when hooker Arsen Havdo dived out of dummy-half and emphasising their early dominance, prop Maksym Harmash crashed through as half time approached. Serbia began the second period strongly, hooker Filip Nesic burrowing over from close in to get them on the board, but Jurkans exploited left edge again for the game breaking score, Vitalii Bycharskyi adding a towering conversion from the touchline. Yefanov kicked a late penalty to extend the margin of victory.

Serbia U19 head coach, Vladislav Dedic, commented: “It was tough but our boys showed that they could defend. We made some errors on attack and that, ultimately, cost us the game. We had some positives and will be better for the rest of the tournament.”

Ukraine will now face England’s Community Lions in the first semi-final on Wednesday (kick off 4pm local time), while Serbia will next play the loser of tomorrow’s rearranged quarter-final between Scotland and USA in a ranking game.