Both teams have delivered prolific scoring in the championship, yet neither can vie for the bronze medal this time.
The 2023 European Under-21 Championship concludes this Saturday at the Batumi Arena in Georgia. The venue will host a finale where Spain and England U-21 clash in pursuit of the title trophy. Both finalists earned their spots after tough semifinals, setting up a gripping grand final that caps the tournament’s dramatic arc. The two squads emerged from the group phase with notable momentum, making their way to the final with impressive resolve. (Goal)
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What stands out about these two teams is that they were among the tournament’s brightest surprises. Each had to navigate the qualifying stages through the repechage after missing direct qualification last year. Ukraine finished second in Group H behind France, while Israel was edged out by Germany in Group B. Remarkably, Israel secured a playoff place in the final moments of the first phase by overtaking Poland in the last game, demonstrating the drama that has defined this event. (Goal)
The tournament’s standout moments
In the repechage, both Ukraine under coach Ruslan Rotan and Israel, led by Guy Luzon, produced compelling performances. Ukraine faced Slovakia and Israel overcame Ireland, paving the way to the knockout rounds where Israel surprised by finishing second in Group C, ahead of the Czech Republic and Germany. Ukraine mirrored this feat in Group B, advancing as runners-up behind a strong Spain side they had drawn with in the group stage. (Goal)
As the competition moved into the knockout rounds, Israel defeated hosts Georgia, another surprising team, while Ukraine delivered a stunning victory over France, one of the pre-tournament favorites. The path then crossed with England and Spain, who proved too strong for the challengers and moved into the semifinals with clear intent. The outcomes in the semifinals left both teams with a reduced post-match horizon, as Israel and Ukraine were eliminated, and the dream of lifting the trophy for either side remained just out of reach. (Goal)
No third-place match will be played in this edition, meaning neither Israel nor Ukraine will add a bronze to their campaigns. The decision by UEFA to skip the third-place contest leaves fans without a potential clash for third, a disappointment given the quality shown by both nations throughout the tournament. (Goal)
Fans might have relished a hypothetical showcase featuring Mykhaylo Mudryk, arguably one of Europe’s standout players this season, alongside Artem Bodnarenko and Georgiy Sudakov, testing themselves against Oscar Gloukh, Eden Karzev, Gil Cohen, and their teammates. But the nature of the competition sets its own rhythm, and the stage is now set for the grand final in which Spain meets England. (Goal)
For a comprehensive overview of all U21 European Championship details, readers can consult the official Goal guide, which consolidates schedules, squads, and match reports for the tournament. All information is organized to help fans follow the action from the group phase through to the final whistle. (Goal)