17:57
A total of 16 teams qualified for the finals. This results in four groups of four teams each and only the first and second in the group reach the KO round. That’s why there’s a lot at stake on the first day of the game! Both teams are currently on the field singing their anthems, and it will start in a few minutes.
17:56
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The Ukrainians beat Denmark 3-2 in their last friendly. Compared to this game, they rotate a total of ten positions. The only player back on the pitch is Bragaru.
17:51
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The opening ceremony is currently taking place in Tbilisi. The hosts will put on a colorful program with music that is well worth seeing.
17:44
: Compared to the 2-1 friendly win against England at the end of March, Croatia has changed four positions. In place of Smolcic, Jureskin, (both not in the squad) Soldo and Vidović, Franjić, Perković, Sigur and Bulat are in the starting XI.
17:43
: The undisputed star of the Georgian selection is sitting on the bench for the first time today. Giorgi Mamardashvili is already one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the age of 22, is under contract with FC Valencia and has already played eight senior internationals. The goal will be guarded by Luka Kutaladze for the time being, as Mamardashvili, like a number of other foreign professionals, only joined the team this morning. Georgia play in a very defensive 5-4-1 with Giorgi Gagua of Spanish third division side Real Unión providing the front-runner.
17:41
: Group A is quite strong with the two countries mentioned as well as Portugal and Georgia, only the youngsters of the hosts are likely to go into the group stage as clear outsiders. While Belgium’s U21s have never been European champions, Oranje has already secured the title twice (2006 & 2007). At the last edition of the tournament in 2021, the Netherlands failed in the semi-finals against German youth, who won the title a little later. The Red Devils said goodbye after the group stage and missed the leap into the quarter-finals.
17:32
: Ukraine’s record looks similar. In the last ten games they have won five times. Three games ended in draws and they were defeated in two games. Just like Croatia, the Ukrainians also contested the playoffs. With 23 points, they ended up in second place, three points behind France. In the first leg they lost 2-3 against Slovakia, but in the second leg they made it clear with a 3-0 victory at the European Championship.
17:31
: His opponent Ramaz Svanadze is mainly building on the home advantage and is hoping for loud support from the ranks. “We prepared for two weeks, had a long meeting and played another friendly game. Now we have to perform as well in this game. We have a very strong opponent and we are the debutants in this tournament,” said Svanadze recently firmly.
17:30
: The youngsters from the Netherlands have some well-known names on board: in addition to Gravenberch (FC Bayern Munich), van de Ven from VfL Wolfsburg is another professional from the Bundesliga in the squad, both start from the start. Up front starts Brobbey from Ajax Amsterdam and alongside him is Ekkelenkamp, a player well known in Belgium for his good performances for Antwerp. The situation is similar for Oranje goalkeeper Verbruggen, who is the goalkeeper for RSC Anderlecht at club level – he is also in coach Erwin van de Looi’s starting XI.
17:18
: Belgium did particularly well on defense in qualifying and conceded only two goals – keeper Vandevoordt (KRC Genk) played a key role in this. On the offensive, hopes are pinned on De Ketelaere, who, however, hardly got any game shares at Milan last season. With Vranckx, Deman and Al-Dakhil there are three players in the Red Devils’ squad who are currently on the bench, although they have great potential. The background is her participation in the international matches of the senior national team in the past few days. The trio only joined the squad during the day and are unlikely to feature.
17:18
: Croatia has won five of the last ten games. Four games ended in a draw and only one was lost. In qualifying, things didn’t quite go as planned for the Croatians. After ten games they were second with 22 points behind Norway. In the playoffs, in which four other teams play for participation, they won the first leg 2-1. In the second leg, Denmark were 2-1 after 120 minutes, so it went to penalties. There they defeated the Danes 5-4 on penalties.
17:18
: Nevertheless, Rui Jorge was only cautiously optimistic in advance. “We know it’s going to be difficult. We always want to be successful, of course, but a lot will depend on how that first game turns out. They’re two very different teams. I think Georgia is physically stronger, but we have the better players “said the 50-year-old in the run-up to the game.
17:06
: The Portuguese are favored in this opening match. Coach Rui Jorge may be without Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira, but he has a number of other seasoned professionals from Europe’s top leagues with him. In addition to left-back Nuno Tavares (Olympique Marseille), there are big names on the offensive with André Almeida (FC Valencia), Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Vitinha (also Marseille).
17:03
: Welcome to the start of the U21 European Championship! The tournament will take place in Georgia and Romania this year and we will focus on Group A. From 6 p.m. on the first day of the game, Belgium and the Netherlands will face off in a neighborhood duel.
17:02
: 16 nations compete for the European Championship trophy at this major event held in Georgia and Romania. Defending champions Germany are once again among the favorites, which also include England, Spain, Italy and France. The game is initially played in groups of four, from which the first two teams advance and then play through in knockout mode from the quarterfinals to the final. After the vice-championship title in 2021, Portugal can also be expected again this year.
17:01
: Welcome to the 1st matchday of group B at the U21 European Championship 2023. Ukraine meets Croatia at 6 p.m. The leader of the game is the Swede Mohammed Al Hakim.
17:00
: Hello and welcome to the 2023 European U-21 Championship! Co-hosts Georgia and Portugal open the tournament at 6pm at Tbilisi’s Paichadze Stadium.