With no men’s World Cup, Euros or Copa América taking place this year, you may be looking for an international tournament to fulfil you football fix during the summer.
That sound familiar? Well, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 24th edition of the Under-21 European Championships.
When and where is the U21 Euros taking place?
This summer’s U21 Euros will be co-hosted by Romania and Georgia.
Stadionul Steaua and Stadionul Rapid-Giulești in București will host Group B matches, while Group D fixtures will take place at Cluj Arena and Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu in Transylvania.
Over in Georgia, Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena and Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi will stage games, as will Ramaz Shengelia Stadium in Kutaisi and Batumi Stadium, with the latter the venue for the final.
The tournament kicks off on Wednesday 21 June, with the group stages wrapped up pretty quickly, with teams playing their third group fixtures on 27 & 28 June.
Quarter-finals are scheduled for 1 & 2 July, semi-finals will take place on 5 July with the final itself in Batumi on 8 July.
Who has qualified for U21 Euros 2023?
The group stage draw looks like this:
| Group A: | Group B: | Group C: | Group D: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Romania | Czechia | Norway |
| Portugal | Spain | England | Switzerland |
| Belgium | Ukraine | Germany | France |
| Netherlands | Croatia | Israel | Italy |
Co-hosts Georgia are the only team making their debut. Eight of these nations have won this competition before; 2015 winners Sweden failed to qualify, while Russia were banned from entering.
Who are the favourites to win Under-21 Euros 2023?
Germany are the reigning and defending champions of this competition, having beaten Portugal 1-0 in the most-recent final two years ago in Ljubljana.
Die Mannschaft also won this competition in 2009 and 2017, reaching at least the semi-finals at each of the last four editions.
Spain are also serial winners of this competition, amazingly picking up the trophy in 2011, 2013 and 2019.
France haven’t won this competition since 1988, last reaching the final in 2002, but les Bleuets’ squad is absolutely jam-packed full of talent.
So what about England, can Lee Carsley’s side deliver U21 glory for the Three Lions, ending a 39-year wait for this trophy?
His squad features plenty of Premier League regulars, namely Levi Colwill, Ben Johnson, Curtis Jones, Jacob Ramsey, Oliver Skipp, Harvey Elliott, Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Gordon and Emile Smith Rowe.
So, as usual, England go into this tournament with high hopes, but be warned, this is always the case, and the Three Lions have been eliminated in the group phase at five of the last six U21 Euros.
Where can I watch the U21 Euros?
All matches will be streamed live on UEFA TV’s website. In the UK, Sky Sports usually broadcast the U21 Euros, but are not doing so this year.
In USA, CBS Sports will broadcast all 31 matches. You can find all global broadcast partners here.
Can I following the U21 Euros on 101 Great Goals?
Yes, you will be able to find betting tips match previews for all 31 matches at this summer’s Under-21 European Championships right here, so stay tuned!
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