BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech's Nicole Kozlova, a sophomore on the Hokies' women's soccer team, recently spent time with the Ukraine Women's National Team as the squad looked to qualify for the UEFA Women's Euros in 2021.
In Euros qualifying, five countries are put into one group and face each other twice - both home and away. Ukraine is in a group with Germany, Ireland, Greece and Montenegro.
Kozlova left the United States on September 29 and joined up with the team, which was made up of 22 players (three goalkeepers, 19 field players), for three days in Ukraine before heading out to play a pair of matches. The team spent three days in Aachen, Germany, where the team played against the German Women's National Team, and then spent three days in Ireland where they faced off against the Ireland Women's National Team.
Kozlova earned her first national team debut playing left wing in that qualifying match against Germany on October 5th.
"It was an unreal experience to play against some of the German girls after watching them in the World Cup on television (over the summer) and the next thing I know I'm tackling one of them so that was really cool," Kozlova said. "It was also the first time I played a game with my last name on my jersey, so that was something special as well."
Seeing other players for Ukraine succeed professionally gives Kozlova a little insight on what she would need to do to take the next step towards a professional career.
"Recently, we had a girl sign for Atletico Madrid which is a big name club for men's soccer, and it's also a big name for women's soccer on the pro side. So seeing her and where she's playing I know I want to play somewhere in a club like that after college," she said. "That kind of gave me an insight of what's needed to get there as well as how pros act in different environments, how they take care of their body, what do they eat, their mentality for each practice. I am always looking to grow as a player and getting this insight will help with my growth."
Being with the senior national team, Kozlova has learned a valuable lesson when playing big-name teams and plans to apply it with Tech in the remaining matches of the season.
"Some might have more experience, maybe better technical skills, better tactics, or spent more time with the team, but at the end of the day when you step on the field everybody is on an even playing field," Kozlova said.
Kozlova got a special surprise on this trip as well. Her parents met up with her and were able to watch her play the games in Germany and Ireland.