Euro U21: England U21, Germany U21 and Spain U21 battle for semi-final spots
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
Euro U21: Group Stage Recap
England U21
The Young Lions have progressed to the knockout stages in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 as expected. However, it has to be said that the defending champions failed to meet expectations in this competition.
In the previous edition, they were a force of nature. Lee Carsley's men concluded the tournament without conceding a single goal, and this is also the same year they lifted their third trophy.
Replicating that success this year has been a difficult experience. Their performance has been shaky, and they finished second in Group B. That's five points behind table-toppers Germany U21. A 3-1 win against Czechia U21 on matchday one was the only victory recorded throughout their three games in the group stages (D1, L1).
Germany U21
For the first time in the Euro U21, Germany U21 maintained a 100% record in the group stages with 3 wins in 3. This was enough to see them top Group B, despite being expected to finish as runners-up.
winning all of their group Besides stage games, they had the joint-second best offensive record in the competition with nine goals scored, an achievement they shared with Portugal U21.
Spain U21
Spain U21 have been a regular face in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship knockout stages. This is their fifth consecutive appearance and also their 12th quarterfinal. It comes as no surprise considering they have won five titles in this competition, a joint record with Italy U21.
La Rojita had tough competition in their group this year, but despite that, they still managed to impress. They finished in first place in Group A after accumulating seven points, level with second-placed Italy U21.
2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: Quarterfinal Showdown
Spain U21 vs. England U21: Is this a revenge match?
This has to be the most anticipated fixture in the Euro U21 quarterfinals between Spain U21 and defending champions England U21 this Saturday. For betting insights on this match, head on to our Spain U21 v England U21 preview.
England U21 are three matches away from becoming the first team in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship to lift back-to-back titles.
Success has turned its back on Spain U21, who have yet to taste victory in this tournament since being crowned champions in 2019. In the following editions, it has been a near miss from being eliminated in the 2021 semi-finals to finishing as runners-up in 2023.
A win here for Spain U21 could see them come closer to lifting their sixth crown in this competition, while champions England U21 could become the first team to secure back-to-back titles in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Most importantly, this is nothing but a revenge match for Spain U21. La Rojita recently locked horns with England U21 in the previous edition, and that was in the final. Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan as they lost 1-0 at Batumi Arena in Georgia.
Check out the key past meetings between these two sides in the Euro U21 below:
- 2023: England U21 secured a 1-0 win in the final. This was their third trophy collected in this competition.
- 2011: Both teams played to a 1-1 draw in the group stages.
- 2009: England U21 secured a 2-0 victory in the group stages.
- 1984: England U21 collected their second trophy in this competition by securing a 3-0 aggregate win in a two-legged final.
Germany U21 vs. Italy U21: 100% record versus six-time champions
Another blockbuster quarterfinal match that needs attention this Saturday is between three-time champions Germany and five-time champions Italy.
Germany U21 was crowned Euro 21 champions in 2021 for the first time in four years. However, luck was not on their side in the previous edition as they relinquished their title to England U21, denying them a rare opportunity that could have seen them become the first team to secure back-to-back titles.
In the current edition, their performance has undeniably met expectations. winning three consecutive matches in the group stages, Germany U21 are unbeaten in their last 19 UEFA European Under-21 Championship matches (including qualifiers), recording 11 wins and two draws.
Germany U21's last win against Italy U21 in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship was in 2009.
They will be leaning on the hope that this should be enough to see off the threat of Italy U21, whom in recent years they have dominated.
Germany U21 record against Italy U21:
- Matches played: 9
- Germany U21 Wins: 4
- Italy U21 Wins: 1
- Draws: 4
