Group A rivals draw comfort

Ukraine coach Yuriy Kalitvintsev was left to count the cost of a nervous start as his side opened the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with a goalless draw against Slovenia, whose trainer Miloš Kostič professed himself content with the draw. Switzerland's Claude Ryf was left thanking divine intervention after Sébastien Wüthrich's last-gasp equaliser against England, while Brian Eastick was philosophical despite his obvious disappointment. uefa.com hears from the four coaches.

UKRAINE 0-0 SLOVENIA
Yuriy Kalitvintsev, Ukraine coach
Of course I'm not satisfied, especially as we're playing at home, but if you take the two halves the second was the better. I'm not saying I'm satisfied with that, but it was better. From past experience I expected the players to be nervous for 15 minutes – 20 maximum – but instead it was 35 and that's too much. But I was very happy that psychologically they got over those nerves and started to play our game. We got what we expected from Slovenia and it's a pity we didn't take advantage of that. In the dressing room after the game, the players were commiserating with each other over the fact we haven't won. When I heard this, I was happy. It's a pity that we drew but at the same time the other match was also a draw so let's decide we had no first round of matches!

Miloš Kostič, Slovenia coach
We're satisfied with the result. We came here to play but a very strong Ukraine team didn't let us play the game we are used to, and after the sending-off we fought for this point. In the end, we're happy with it. I'm very satisfied with my goalkeeper and all the defence – they did a very good job. It's difficult when all the players are working so hard to pick the best but both central defenders and the goalkeeper did well. We're all tired now, and I'm sure Ukraine are too. I live every match with my team and if you give 100 per cent, afterwards you're always very tired. Believe me, I am now.

ENGLAND 1-1 SWITZERLAND
Brian Eastick, England coach
It's disappointing obviously; if you're leading 1-0 with a few minutes to go, you'd expect to see the game out. Having said that we didn't really play well enough to win the game and possibly over the 90 minutes you could argue Switzerland [deserved a draw]. Their work ethic was fantastic, they kept going and kept going. We needed a second goal to win, it was quite clear. We didn't create enough opportunities in the 90 minutes; we had one very good chance with Danny Welbeck that didn't quite go in. We really needed that to go in, I think we'd have won it then.

Claude Ryf, Switzerland coach
Our preparations for this championship were very difficult; we travelled here with 14 players, three more came yesterday and one today. My team wasn't ready in the first half, although England didn't have many chances but in the second half we were better. Now we're really in the championship; the goal in the [92nd] minute was a present from God and I thank Him for it, because it was very, very difficult. The draw is like a win, especially for the mind. If you look at the faces of the players, for England it was a defeat and for us it was a win. Now we have a good chance of having a good championship.