UEFA Euros U21 Fixtures

Slovakia previously hosted the 2000 U21 finals, the first to feature a group stage. It was also the venue for the 2013 U17 EURO, 2016 Women's U19 EURO and 2022 U19 EURO. The hosts were initially joined by the nine qualifying group winners and the three runners-up with the best records against the sides first, third, fourth and fifth in their groups. November's play-offs then decided the last three finalists. The U21 Euros provide us with an insight into the future of top-tier National tournaments by providing several budding talents with a field and the right conditions to sprout.

UEFA Euros U21 Fixtures - Opening Day Game & Key Matches

The UEFA Euro U-21 opens with a highly anticipated game between the host Country of Slovakia and the winners of the current senior Euro title, Spain. On paper, the match may look like a mismatch between a Spanish side that churns out brilliant young footballers through their evergreen club youth systems, against a relatively unremarkable Slovakian side.

However, it is important to note that the Slovakian team hosting the Spanish side at their National Football stadium in Bratislava, is at a significant vantage point coming at the back of a 2-0 victory in their previous meeting with the young La Roja side. This game thus boasts a good matchup, citing the rivalry that has built up subsequently between the two teams, with both teams eager to perform in a match with such high stakes. Although the head-to-head records with Spain’s 4 wins to their hosts' solo victory paints a dominating image of the Spanish team, who are also the favorites to win the tournament, the premise of the match promises at least a good watch for football fans all over the world.
This first match sets the perfect tone for the subsequent luscious matchups that the U21 Euros have lined up for their coming-of-age tournament. Out of the various combinations of matches, starring budding talents from all over the world yearning to leave their mark while on worldwide display, some key matchups stand out from the lot. The following matchups represent some of the strongest contenders for the European championship going against each other:

Although it is natural to see some exceptions shaking the incumbency of top National teams, there still is a major consensus around teams like Italy, Portugal, Germany, Spain and France, in making the cut for the knockout stages, with respect to their superior squad depth, high rated coaching staff and affluent youth setups.

Euros U21 Fixtures: Group Stage & Knockout Rounds Explained

The general format of the Euros U21 follows a series of group stage games, which shortens the roster of the teams participating through the elimination of the bottom-feeder teams in the group. The qualified top seed teams further compete in knockout games starting from the quarterfinals to eventually decide the winner. The teams are divided into four pots according to their position in the UEFA Under-21 National Team Coefficient Ranking and the teams are then split into four groups of four, with the top two in each group going through to the knockout phase. The group stages involve the following fixtures and group divisions:

Now, in case of any ambiguity occurring while selecting the top two teams from every group, there are certain tie-breaking factors that can be considered to become certain:

• Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams
• Goal difference in head-to-head matches
• Goals scored in head-to-head matches
• Goal difference in all group matches
• Goals scored in all group matches
• Penalty shoot-out is only used if two teams have the same number of points, and they met in the last round of the group and are tied after applying all criteria above, ignored if more than two teams are vying for qualification and are tied.
• Disciplinary points

• UEFA coefficient for the qualifying round draw
• Drawing of lots.

The teams thus qualified play the winners from the other groups in a predefined combination of knockout matches, which eventually leads us to the winner.