England Under-21s are in Saturday’s Euro 2023 final against Spain as they look to win the tournament for the first time in 39 years. The Young Lions beat Israel in Wednesday’s semi-final to reach their first final since 2009 and are slight favourites to lift the trophy at the expense of the five-time champions. Here, we look at some of the focal points ahead of the final in Batumi, Georgia.
Portugal have played some lovely football at U21 Euro 2021 but Germany get the nod for final glory on their pedigree in this tournament. They lifted this trophy for the second time in 2017 and were runners-up two years ago, whereas Esperancas are chasing a maiden triumph.
Spain made harder work of getting past Croatia at U21 Euro 2021 than they should have done but still get the nod to see off Portugal in the semi-finals. Their opponents made it past Italy in an absolute thriller and must be respected, but can be tactically naive at times.
Netherlands and Germany drew at MOL Arena Sosto during the group stage of U21 Euro 2021 and another close encounter looks on the cards when they reoppose there in the semis. Both teams had to battle through tight quarter-final tussles.
Holders Spain are 4/1 favourites to successfully defend their trophy in bwin’s U21 Euro 2021 odds ahead of Monday’s quarter-finals. Luis de la Fuente remains in charge and they topped their qualifying table in smooth style with two wins and a draw.
Portugal and Italy both impressed during the group stage at U21 Euro 2021 and a close encounter is on the cards when they meet in the quarter-finals. Esperancas probably produced the more eye-catching performances but Gli Azzurrini proved they can battle against the best around.
Germany have a proud record to maintain when competing at U21 Euro 2021, having been champions in 2017 and runners-up a couple of years ago. They beat Denmark during the group stage at both of those tournaments and can confirm their superiority in this year’s quarter-finals.
Spain are favourites in the outright betting for U21 Euro 2021 and can justify that position by taking care of Croatia in the quarter-finals. La Rojita lifted this trophy in fine style two years ago and head to Maribor in Slovenia on the back of a long unbeaten run at this level.
France look as though they mean business at U21 Euro 2021 and are fancied to see off Netherlands in their Budapest quarter-final. Les Espoirs reached the semi-finals two years ago and head into this tournament with some big-name players in key positions.
Spain lost out to Germany in the 2017 European Under-21 Championship final but are fancied to gain revenge in this year’s decider at Friuli. La Rojita powered past France 4-1 in the semis, whereas it felt like Germany made hard work of seeing off an overachieving Romania side 4-2.
Spain recovered well from an opening loss to hosts Italy in their European Under-21 Championship pool and have impressed more than France at this tournament. Les Espoirs were rated a touch fortunate to beat England before scraping past Croatia and drawing against Romania, so they have plenty to prove here.
Romania have been a breath of fresh air at the European Under-21 Championship but we fear their fairytale run will come to an end against Germany in the semi-finals. The holders romped to an 8-0 triumph when these nations last met in qualifying for the 2015 renewal and again have a powerful current squad.
England are already resigned to an early exit from the European Under-21 Championship but can salvage some pride by beating Croatia in Serravalle. Their opponents have also suffered two defeats so far, but seem to have less scope for improvement in the final round of Group C fixtures.
England have given themselves a mountain to climb at the European Under-21 Championship and face another tough test when taking on a red-hot Romania side. The Young Lions must try to recover from an opening 2-1 loss to France, but their next opponents were mightily impressive in beating Croatia 4-1.