England U21 Aims for First Euros Win in Nearly Four Decades against Spain U21

Ashley Cole (left) serves as the assistant boss for England’s Under-21 team.

England is set to face Spain in the final on Saturday, seeking to capture the European Under-21 Championship for the first time since 1984.

Having last reached the final in 2009, when they suffered a 4-0 defeat against Germany, the English team is eager to clinch the title this time.

England emerged victorious in the third and fourth editions of the tournament in 1982 and 1984, defeating Spain 3-0 on aggregate. However, they haven’t managed to replicate that success since then.

Under the leadership of Lee Carsley, England’s U21 side has yet to concede a goal throughout the tournament held in Georgia and Romania this summer.

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Channel 4 will broadcast the U21 final.

Carsley expressed his thoughts on the team’s unity and camaraderie, stating, “During these four weeks, the team spirit and the development of the players’ personalities have made it feel more like a club atmosphere.”

He continued, “It’s a shame that after this, many of the players will no longer be eligible for the U21 level. However, one of the advantages is that there is another group of players waiting to step up.”

“I hope this group can conclude this campaign with a victory. They deserve it, as they have worked incredibly hard and displayed great diligence.”

“Our initial ranking was sixth, so reaching the final is already a significant achievement. The team still has room to improve, and if they click, their performance will be exceptional.”

“With the grandeur of the stage, you can expect a different level of intensity from the team. I’m eagerly anticipating it.”

England takes pride in their clean sheet record

Cameron Archer from Aston Villa, Anthony Gordon from Newcastle, and Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal have each scored two goals during the tournament held in Georgia.

Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest leads the tournament with three assists.

England secured victories over Portugal (1-0) and Israel (3-0) in the knockout stages, following wins against the Czech Republic, Israel, and Germany in the group stage. Remarkably, they achieved all this without conceding a single goal, despite the absence of Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, who is on the verge of a move to Burnley.

“The entire team takes pride in this accomplishment,” stated England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

“In matches like the one against Portugal, the team might face difficulties. However, we have the capability to stick together and put our bodies on the line to keep the opponents at bay. James has played a vital role in our success, but I believe everyone on the bench would do the same.”

Spain, who defeated Ukraine 5-1 in the other semi-final, will pose a tough challenge for England. Spain and Italy share the distinction of being the most successful teams in the history of the competition, with five victories each.

Abel Ruiz and Sergio Gomez, both from Manchester City, lead the tournament’s top scorers’ list with three goals each. They have also contributed two assists apiece.

Carsley acknowledged Spain’s quality, stating, “Spain, along with a few others, has always showcased high quality and talented individuals. Watching La Liga, you can observe a similar style of play among the top teams. It’s always beneficial to learn and watch such exceptional teams.”

Harwood-Bellis commented, “Although we haven’t faced Spain before, we have encountered formidable opponents throughout the tournament. We displayed remarkable performances against top nations, adapting our approach to different challenges. Saturday will be no different. We often emphasize that it’s about us against ourselves, and that won’t change.”

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Santi Denia manages the Spanish team, having previously coached various Spanish age groups since 2010.

Denia remarked, “I don’t want to single out any individuals from the England team. They are an excellent side. I want to commend my colleague Lee for the remarkable job he has done with his team. They have performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament.”

England holds one significant advantage over Spain—the location. All of England’s matches have taken place in Georgia, and this will be their fourth game at the Batumi Arena.

In contrast, Spain played their other matches in the Romanian capital Bucharest, over 800 miles away.

Denia explained, “From the beginning, we knew that if we reached the final, we would have to make this trip to Georgia and play the group stage in Romania. We’re here now, and we are preparing for our pre-match training session. It’s true that we had less time for preparation, but the medical team and everyone involved are working tirelessly toward the same goal.”

Carsley added, “The venue is undoubtedly one where we feel comfortable. The distance to the stadium and the warm reception we receive have been noted by the players. The Premier League enjoys great popularity in Georgia, and you can see shirts from English clubs everywhere. The players have made a point of signing autographs and interacting with the locals. We’ve had numerous children attend our training sessions, and we’ve gifted them jerseys. These gestures go a long way.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Euros win

More about Euros win

• European Under-21 Championship
• England U21 National Team
• Spain U21 National Team
• Batumi Arena
• La Liga
• Channel 4 (for broadcasting the U21 final)