December 4 – The groups for the upcoming UEFA U21 European Championships, to be played in Slovakia 11-28 June 2025, have been decided following the draw ceremony in Bratislava on Tuesday.
Current champions England will face Czechia, Germany and Slovenia in Group B while 2023 tournament’s runners up Spain, will take on hosts Slovakia, Italy and Romania in Group A.
The other two powerhouses, Portugal and France, were both drawn into Group C alongside 2023 hosts Georgia, who finished top of their group last time out, and Poland.
Netherlands were drawn into Group D and will have plenty to prove following the team’s early exit in the group stages in 2023, where they were unable to tally a single win.
UEFA said it will issue the updated match schedule including the kick-off time of all matches in due course.
The U21 tournament has frequently been the springboard for players to accelerate their progression into the senior international and club teams.
Liverpool and England midfielder Curtis Jones, who is enjoying a breakthrough start to the campaign for the Premier League leaders, scored the winning goal versus Spain in 2023 which saw England lift the U21 European Championship trophy.
Of that talented England team, which also featured the likes of Cole Palmer, Antony Gordon and Levi Colwill, the majority are now regular starters in the Premier League
Full draw:
Group A: Slovakia, Spain, Italy, Romania
Group B: Czechia, England, Germany, Slovenia
Group C: Portugal, France, Poland, Georgia
Group D: Finland, Netherlands, Ukraine, Denmark
Tickets for the tournament went on sale to the general public on Wednesday 4 December and can be purchased from the official tournament website.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734896288labto1734896288ofdlr1734896288owedi1734896288sni@g1734896288niwe.1734896288yrrah1734896288