2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals preview: Full schedule and how to watch
Eight teams are battling for three Paris 2024 spots at the football tournament in Romania and Georgia, with the quarter-finals taking place on 1 and 2 July. Here is everything you to know before the upcoming clashes.
Football
The rising football stars of tomorrow are entering the decisive knockout stage of the 2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship, with the quarter-finals scheduled to played this weekend.
Only the top two from each group advanced to the last eight, resulting in surprise early exits for defending champions Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Belgium.
However, pre-tournament favourites Spain and England had a relatively straightforward path to the knockout stage, having already secured qualification before the last group game along with underdogs Ukraine.
On 1 and 2 July, the teams that will progress to the semi-finals will be determined. The tournament also serves as a qualification for the Olympic tournament, with three teams earning a spot. Thus, more than just a semi-final is at stake.
Here is everthing you need to know before the quarter-finals of the 2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship.
2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: The eight quarter-finalists
Georgia vs. Israel
Co-hosts Georgia have stunned the world of football by claiming first place in a tough group that included Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium. A 2-0 victory over Portugal and two draws against Belgium and the Netherlands ensured Georgia's top spot in Group A.
In the final group stage match against the Oranje, left winger Zuriko Davitashvili was awarded the man of the match. The Girondins Bordeaux player produced an impressive run near the halfway line dribbling past the Dutch defence before slotting in the opening goal.
Georgiy Tsitaishvili of Polish side Lech Poznan has been one of the stadnout players in the opening three matches, contributing with two assists in the clash against Portugal and scoring against Belgium.
Georgia are the first host nation since 2009 to reach the quarter-finals. With an enthusiastic home crowd behind them and a collective strength within the team, Georgia's advancement to the semi-finals looks promising.
Israel continue to showcase their talented group of players as they progress ahead of Czechia and the reigning champions Germany in Group C. Earlier this month, Israel's U20 national team won bronze at the U20 World Cup, and the U21 squad features several players who reached the U19 EURO final last year.
A win as imperative for Israel in the final group game against Czechia, following a draw with Germany and a loss to England. They managed to secure the win when Omri Gandelman of Maccabi Netanya bundled in a cross from Red Bull Salzburg player Oscar Gloukh.
Gloukh has proven to be a vital figure in the Israel team, showcasing his creativity in the attacking midfield. Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz of Maccabi Tel Aviv has also been instrumental, securing valuable points, and his performance in the encounter against Germany earned him a well-deserved man of the match accolade.
The Israeli squad boasts players with experience in international youth competitions and knockout matches. They will need to leverage that experience to strive for a spot in the semi-finals.
England vs. Portugal
England had already secured their spot in the knockout stage before their final encounter against Germany. Despite this, the English team defeated the defending champions 2-0.
The Three Lions began the competition with impressive 2-0 victories over both Czechia and Israel. Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa delivered a stellar performance against Czechia and found the back of the net. Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest provided two assists in the win over Israel, including one for England's top scorer, Emile Smith Rowe.
Smith Rowe, who also plays for Arsenal, is among the top scorers of the tournament with two goals. Although he may not have played a decisive role for the Gunners in the previous season, where they finished second in the Premier League, he has been an important player for head coach Lee Carsley.
This is the first time in 14 years that England has qualified for the knockout stage with a game to spare. The last time they achieved this, they reached the final, and they aim to do so again.
Portugal, on the other hand, had a more challenging path to the quarter-finals. They started the campaign with a loss against co-hosts Georgia. A 1-1 draw against the Netherlands meant that Portugal had to win their last game against Belgium, which they did after being awarded a late penalty, converted by captain Tiago Dantas of Benfica.
Gonçalo Ramos, the top scorer in the qualification phase, is not included in Portugal's finals squad. Instead, André Almeida from Valencia and Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton have been influential forces in Portugal's attacking play.
If Portugal intends to progress, it is crucial for them to be more clinical both defensively and in their offensive maneuvers.
Spain vs. Switzerland
Like England, Spain had already secured their place in the quarter-finals before their final group game against Ukraine. They started the tournament with a 3-0 victory over co-hosts Romania and followed it up with a 1-0 win against Croatia. The final game resulted in a 2-2 draw with Ukraine, allowing Spain to claim first place in the group.
Betis winger Rodri has consistently posed a threat to opponents, earning him two Player of the Match awards. Abel Ruiz, who plays for Portuguese side Braga, is Spain's top scorer with two goals in three matches. Winger Sergio Gomez, representing Manchester City, has contributed one goal and two assists.
Entering the 2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship, Spain was the only team in the qualifiers to win every match. Abel Ruiz and Sergio Gomez played vital roles in Spain's attack, scoring seven and six goals respectively in just eight matches.
As a five-time winner of the tournament, Spain has now reached the quarter-finals in their last six appearances at the UEFA Under-21 Championship, establishing themselves as the team to beat in the knockout stage.
Despite suffering a 4-1 defeat against France in the final group stage match, Switzerland has secured a place in the quarter-finals due to Italy's loss to Norway.
Switzerland's sole victory against Norway proved to be enough for their progression. Dan Ndoye from Basel and Kastriot Imeri from Young Boys have both scored two goals in the competition, showcasing the team's strength in attack.
However, Switzerland's defense has been a weakness, conceding eight goals in just three games. To have a chance against Spain's efficient attack, the Swiss defense will need to step up.
As clear underdogs, Switzerland enters the meeting with Spain with nothing to lose.
France vs. Ukraine
France have already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics as the host nation, but there is still continental glory to fight for in Romania and Georgia.
The French secured first place in Group D, starting the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Italy. Striker Arnaud Kalimuendo from Stade Rennais scored a remarkable back-heel goal in the match, while Kouadio Kone from Borussia Monchengladbach stood out in midfield.
Crystal Palace's Michael Olise became the match winner with the only goal in the victory over Norway. Les Bleus have also displayed strength in defense, with particular solidity shown by center-back Castello Lukeba from Olympique Lyon.
The team gained a final boost of confidence in the group stage meeting with Switzerland, winning 4-1. Amine Gouiri from Stade Rennais delivered a man of the match performance, and Bradley Barcola from Olympique Lyon found the back of the net, becoming France's top scorer with two goals in the competition.
France haven't reached the final of the UEFA Under-21 Championship since 2002, but if they can continue building on their strong start, they have the potential to make it to the final once again.
France's quarter-final opponent, Ukraine, are ready for the knockout stage for the first time since their debut in 2006 when they reached the final.
The Ukrainians finished second in their group behind Spain, securing victories of 2-0 against Croatia and 1-0 against Romania.
Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk is arguably the biggest star in the squad, which is predominantly composed of players from the Ukrainian Premier League, the country's top division. However, Mudryk has been on the bench in the first three matches. Head coach Ruslan Rotan mentioned to the press that the Chelsea player is still recovering from an injury but should be eligible for the quarter-finals.
Oleksandr Nazarenko from Dnipro-1 was awarded the player of the match against Spain, and he is one of the players who have stepped up in Mudryk's absence. Right winger Olexiy Kashchuk from Sabah Baku showcased his skills by dancing through the Croatian defense and scoring Ukraine's first goal of the tournament. Artem Bondarenko from Shakhtar Donetsk has been a crucial link in the central midfield.
The possible return of Mudryk could make the quarter-final against France an interesting matchup.
How can teams qualify for the Olympics football tournament?
The 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship will serve as an Olympic Qualifying Event for the European countries. France are already qualified as hosts.
There are three more slots at stake, for the three best teams at the tournament. If France qualify for the semi-finals, the other three semi-finalists will qualify for the Olympic football tournament.
The scenario is the same if England qualify to the semi-finals, as the English team are ineligible for the 2024 Olympics.
If both England and France qualify for the semi-finals, there will be a play-off match between the two best quarter-finalists for the last Olympic slot.
If neither England nor France reach the semis, the third Paris 2024 berth is decided in a play-off match between the two losing semi-finalists.
UEFA will confirm the applicable scenario during the European Under-21 Championship, as well as possible play-off match date and venue.
In the men's Olympic football tournament, athletes born on or after 1 January 2001 (aged 23 at the time of Paris 2024) are eligible to play. However, each nation can select three players born before the mentioned date, above the age limit, in their 18-player squad list.
Full schedule 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals
All times are in CET.
Saturday, 1 July
Georgia vs. Israel (18:00, Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi)
Spain vs. Switzerland (21:00, Giulești Stadium, Bucharest)
Sunday, 2 July
England vs Portugal (18:00, Shengelia Arena, Kutaisi)
France vs Ukraine (21:00, Cluj Arena, Cluj-Napoca)
The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday 5 July and the final on Saturday 8 July.
How to watch 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals
The full tournament will be televised with every match filmed and screened via TV and digital livestreams via UEFA's broadcast partners in Europe and worldwide.
- Co-hosts Romania have action live on TVR.
- Co-hosts Georgia will be showing games on GPB.
- In England and the UK, action is live on Sky Sports.
- In France, YLE hold the rights.
- Rai are the rightsholders in Italy.
- ESPN and Univision will also stream the games in the USA.
Some games will be streamed live on UEFA.tv, which will also offer highlights of every match at midnight CEST after the game.
A full list of broadcasters can be found on the UEFA website.