The Spanish Under-21 squad ready to chase a continental goal
The young talents who will wear La Rojita this summer are gearing up for a defining chapter in their European ambitions. On June 2, 2023, Spain’s Under-21 coach Santi Denia revealed the roster that will take part in the European Championship, naming 27 players who had already featured in the initial call-up. This camp marks the start of a tightly scheduled path toward glory, with preparations already underway in Madrid. The squad, built to compete across a demanding tournament format, is a blend of seasoned youth prospects and emerging stars who have impressed at various levels of Spain’s development system.
As the team sharpened their focus, a highly anticipated friendly followed. On Tuesday, June 13, the Under-21s faced Mexico in Ciudad del Fútbol, ending in a 1-1 draw and serving as a final examination before the decisive travel list was locked. The result provided a last chance for Denia to evaluate combinations and tactics in real match conditions ahead of departure to Europe. The Euro event would see the team split into groups facing strong continental rivals in Romania, a stage where every error is magnified and every breakthrough celebrated.
On June 14, the final selection was confirmed. Denia made the difficult call to leave out several players who had been on the initial roster, including Alejandro Francés, Miguel Gutiérrez, Nico González, and Juanmi Latasa. The decision underscored the tough choices coaches must make when shaping a squad capable of fronting a challenge against Europe’s best young teams.
Spain Under-21 squad for the European Championship: players and their clubs
Goalkeepers: Julen Agirrezabala (Athletic Club), Leo Román (Mallorca), Arnau Tenas (FC Barcelona).
Defenders: Arnau Martínez (Girona), Víctor Gómez (Braga), Hugo Guillamón (Valencia), Manu Sánchez (Osasuna), Juan Miranda (Real Betis), Jon Pacheco (Real Sociedad), Mario Gila (Lazio), Aitor Paredes (Athletic Club).
Midfielders: Antonio Blanco (Alavés), Gabri Veiga (Celta), Alejandro Baena (Villarreal), Oihan Sancet (Athletic Club), Aimar Oroz (Osasuna), Adrián Bernabé (Parma).
Forward line: Ander Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad), Rodri Sánchez (Betis), Rodrigo Riquelme (Girona), Sergio Gómez (Manchester City), Sergio Camello (Rayo Vallecano), Abel Ruiz (Braga).
This squad dynamic reflects a deliberate mix of players who can adapt to different tactical setups and can deliver when the pressure rises in international competition. The coaching staff’s strategic plan emphasizes balance across defense, midfield spine, and attacking options, aiming to maximize team cohesion and individual impact across the tournament format. The preparation phase, including a thorough training camp and a final testing friendly, enabled Denia to verify squad depth and to refine the pressing rhythm, build-up play, and finishing efficiency that could define the team’s performance in Romania. The emphasis on collective organization and purposeful rotation suggests a deliberate approach to maintain freshness across multiple fixtures while preserving competitive intensity for the deeper stages of the championship. This methodology aligns with Spain’s recent Under-21 track record of cultivating young talent into a cohesive, technically proficient unit ready for higher levels of competition. [Goal]