An overview of the tournament where Spain seeks its sixth title in the European Under-21 Championship history.
The 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship kicks off in Romania and Georgia, with the final round beginning on June 21. This edition mirrors earlier under-21 events that doubled as the European qualifying path for the Olympic football tournament, a pattern that helps determine the continent’s representatives for Paris 2024.
Directly ahead: follow Spain Under-21 versus Ukraine Under-21 in the European Championship semi-finals, as Spain aims for another deep run in a competition it has often dominated alongside Italy.
With the sole exception of France, automatically qualifying as Olympic hosts, and England, which does not have eligibility for Olympic participation, the eligible teams will vie for a spot in the men’s football tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Each side will be represented by an under-23 national team, allowing a maximum of three overage players to be included.
The Spain national team, managed from the bench by Santi Denia, travels to Romania and Georgia for the finals, determined to clinch a sixth championship at this level. Spain remains one of the most successful nations in this age group, sharing the record for most titles with Italy.
DATE, SCHEDULES, MATCHES, RESULTS AND CALENDAR OF THE EUROPEAN UNDER-21
The four groups (A, B, C and D) will contest their matches from June 21 to June 28, all in single fixtures without legs. The top two from each group advance to the quarterfinals, setting the stage for knockout drama across the continent.
Wednesday, June 21
Group A: Georgia 2-0 Portugal (18:00, Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi)
Group A: Belgium 0-0 Netherlands (18:00, Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi)
Group B: Ukraine 2-0 Croatia (18:00, Giulești Stadium, Bucharest)
Group B: Romania 0-3 Spain (20:45, Steaua Stadium, Bucharest)
Thursday, June 22
Group C: Czech Republic 0-2 England (18:00, Batumi Arena, Batumi)
Group C: Germany 1-1 Israel (18:00, Shengelia Arena, Kutaisi)
Group D: Norway 1-2 Switzerland (18:00, CFR Cluj Stadium, Cluj-Napoca)
Group D: France 2-1 Italy (20:45, Cluj Arena, Cluj-Napoca)
Saturday, June 24
Group A: Georgia 2-2 Belgium (18:00, Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi)
Group A: Portugal 1-1 Netherlands (18:00, Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi)
Group B: Romania 0-1 Ukraine (18:00, Steaua Stadium, Bucharest)
Group B: Spain 1-0 Croatia (20:45, Giulești Stadium, Bucharest)
Sunday, June 25
Group C: Czech Republic 2-1 Germany (18:00, Batumi Arena, Batumi)
Group C: England 2-0 Israel (18:00, Shengelia Arena, Kutaisi)
Group D: Switzerland 2-3 Italy (18:00, Cluj Arena, Cluj-Napoca)
Group D: Norway 0-1 France (20:45, CFR Cluj Stadium, Cluj-Napoca)
Tuesday, June 27
Group A: Netherlands 1-1 Georgia (18:00, Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi)
Group A: Portugal 2-1 Belgium (18:00, Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi)
Group B: Croatia 0-0 Romania (20:45, Steaua Stadium, Bucharest)
Group B: Spain 2-2 Ukraine (20:45, Giulești Stadium, Bucharest)
Wednesday, June 28
Group C: England 2-0 Germany (18:00, Batumi Arena, Batumi)
Group C: Israel 1-0 Czech Republic (18:00, Shengelia Arena, Kutaisi)
Group D: Switzerland 1-4 France (20:45, CFR Cluj Stadium, Cluj-Napoca)
Group D: Italy 0-1 Norway (20:45, Cluj Arena, Cluj-Napoca)
Quarterfinals
Saturday July 1, 2023
CF1: Georgia 0 (3)-0 (4) Israel (18:00, Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi)
CF3: Spain 2-1 Switzerland (21:00, Giulești Stadium, Bucharest)
Sunday, July 2, 2023
CF2: England 1-0 Portugal (18:00, Shengelia Arena, Kutaisi)
CF4: France 1-3 Ukraine (21:00, Cluj Arena, Cluj-Napoca)
Semi-finals
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
SF1: Israel 0-3 England (18:00, Batumi Arena, Batumi)
SF2: Spain 5-1 Ukraine (21:00, Steaua Stadium, Bucharest)
Last
Saturday, July 8, 2023
England v Spain (18:00, Batumi Arena, Batumi)
Headquarters of the European Under-21
Next, the article turns to the venues hosting the final stage. The 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship runs from June 21 to July 8 and takes place between Georgia and Romania. Romania hosts the opening match while Georgia hosts the final. Geographical venues include Batumi and Kutaisi in Georgia and Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca in Romania, with stadiums such as the Batumi Arena, Shengelia Arena, Meskhi Stadium, Paichadze Stadium in Tbilisi, Giulești Stadium in Bucharest, Steaua Stadium in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca venues like Cluj Arena and CFR Cluj Stadium, and the Steaua Stadium again as part of the knockout phase. These sites are allocated across multiple group and knockout-stage matches to ensure a wide reach across the two nations.
European Under-21 Groups
Four groups of four teams each form the initial stage, with the top two from every group earning quarterfinal berths. The groups are listed as follows: Group A includes Georgia, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands; Group B features Romania, Spain, Ukraine and Croatia; Group C contains Czech Republic, England, Germany and Israel; Group D brings together Norway, Switzerland, France and Italy. The structure emphasizes balanced competition and the path to the knockout rounds.
Group standings and classifications were laid out to guide fans through the tournament and highlight the potential routes to the final stages. Coverage focused on how each group would influence the knockout picture and the race for Olympic qualification.
Broadcast and viewing rights for the 2023 European Under-21 Championship in Spain belong to RTVE, with Teledeporte and the RTVE Play app carrying Spain’s matches. Other games without La Rojita in action could be watched via ProSieben MAXX (M+ Astra). The media plan was designed to maximize accessibility for fans across the country and beyond.
The Spain squad under Santi Denia featured a roster of 23 players, with several adjustments from the initial list. The goalkeeper trio included Julen Agirrezabala, Leo Román and Arnau Tenas, while defense covered names such as Arnau Martínez, Víctor Gómez, Hugo Guillamón, Manu Sánchez, Juan Miranda, Jon Pacheco, Mario Gila and Aitor Paredes. Midfield duties were in the hands of Antonio Blanco, Gabri Veiga, Alejandro Baena, Oihan Sancet, Aimar Oroz and Adrián Bernabé. Forwards included Ander Barrenetxea, Rodri Sánchez, Rodrigo Riquelme, Sergio Gómez, Sergio Camello and Abel Ruiz. This group represented a blend of rising talent and tested veterans, reflecting the manager’s plan to compete at the highest level. (Goal)