Youth Football at Its Best: All About the UEFA Euro Under 21

The 25th edition of the UEFA Euro Under 21 is set to kick off this June in Slovakia, featuring Portugal among the 16 teams. Will this be the year Portugal's young football stars claim the European title that has eluded them? The national team, led by Rui Jorge, faces tough competition from the likes of France, Spain, England, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy.

 

As the Portuguese players wear their official match kits, fans will proudly support them, hoping to see the team lift the trophy and make history.
 

Portugal in UEFA Euro Under 21 History and Other Facts

Among the many trophies adorning the walls of the Football City, there are three that have remained elusive: the senior World Cup, the U-17 World Cup, and the UEFA Euro Under 21 Championship. However, we can't say that Portugal hasn’t come close. In the dawn of what became the legendary "Golden Generation" of Portuguese football, featuring Luís Figo, Jorge Costa, Rui Costa, Sá Pinto, and João Pinto, the Portugal U-21 team reached the 1994 UEFA Euro Under 21 final in Italy, with all odds in their favor—except for those of Orlandini, the Italian forward who dashed our hopes with a goal in the 7th minute of extra time.
 

It took 10 years before Portugal reached another semi-final, this time in Germany, where once again Italy denied us glory, defeating us 3-1, but Portugal ended up third by defeating Sweden 3-2 in extra time.

 

In 2006, Portugal hosted the UEFA Euro Under 21 but didn’t make it past the group stage. However, in 2015, a new golden generation almost reached the summit, winning all group stage matches, including a memorable 5-0 victory over Germany. But in the final, Sweden blocked our path to victory, winning after a penalty shootout.

 

Portugal's last major chance to claim the UEFA Euro Under 21 title came in Slovenia in 2021, where Francisco Conceição, Trincão, and Vitinha impressed on their way to the final, only to lose 1-0 to Germany.

 

While Portugal has yet to lift the U-21 European trophy, Spain and Italy, each with five titles, remain the most successful nations in this category. Despite this, three Portuguese players have been named the best player of the UEFA Euro Under 21: Luís Figo (1994), William Carvalho (2015), and Fábio Vieira (2021).
 

Final Groups of the UEFA Euro Under 21 2025

The road to the UEFA Euro Under 21 2025 final begins with four groups of four teams, where only the top two from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

 

In the draw, Portugal was placed in Group C, facing France, Poland, and the surprise team from UEFA Euro 2023, Georgia, a nation that has risen in the UEFA rankings in recent years.

 

For Portugal to reach the quarter-finals, the group will cross over with Group D, meaning Portugal will face France, Poland, and Georgia.

 

The other groups are as follows:

 

• Group A: Slovakia, Spain, Italy, Romania

 

• Group B: England, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovenia

 

• Group D: Netherlands, Denmark, Ukraine, Finland
 

UEFA Euro Under 21 Matches: Schedule Until the Final

As mentioned, Portugal’s U-21 team will begin their journey toward the highly anticipated final with a match against France on June 11 at Štadión Sihoť in Trenčín, at 8 PM (Portugal time).

 

The second match is on June 14, where Portugal will face Poland at 8 PM, followed by the third and final group stage match against Georgia on June 17 at 5 PM, both matches taking place in Trenčín.

 

As is customary in major UEFA and FIFA tournaments, the opening match will be played by the host nation, Slovakia, who will face Spain at Tehelné Pole in Bratislava on June 11 at 5 PM.

 

After the group stage, the quarter-finals begin on June 21 with the top teams from Groups A and B, and the next day, June 22, will feature the first-placed teams from Groups C and D—matches we hope Portugal will be a part of.

 

Three days later, the semi-finals will be played and, on June 28, the almost 23,000 seats of the Tehelné pole will fill up for the big Euro Under-21 final.
 

UEFA Euro Under 21 Stadiums

The eight stadiums chosen by the Slovak federation to host the European Under-21 Championship are proof of evolution. 

 

Besides Štadión Sihoť (10,000 seats) in Trenčín, which will host Portugal in the group stage, and Tehelné Pole, the venue for the final, six other stadiums will showcase the magic of the UEFA Euro Under 21 Championship:

 

• Štadión Anton Malatinský (Trnava): 18,200 seats

 

• MOL Aréna (Dunajská Streda): 12,700 seats

 

• Košická futbalová Aréna (Košice): 12,500 seats

 

• Štadión pod Dubňom (Žilina): 10,800 seats

 

• Štadión pod Zoborom (Nitra): 7,400 seats

 

• Futbal Tatran Arena (Prešov): 6,500 seats
 

UEFA Euro Under 21 2025: Top Favorites and Promising Youngsters to Watch

Although most players have already been identified and play for some of the biggest clubs in the world, scouts will certainly be in the stands for the UEFA Euro Under 21 2025 matches.

 

Among the rising stars, Fábio Silva, Portugal’s top scorer in the qualifiers with 8 goals, is one to watch, alongside Carlos Forbs, one exciting winger.

 

In addition to these three Portuguese talents, all eyes will be on Italian midfielders Niccolò Pisilli (Roma) and Simone Pafundi (Udinese), both with experience at the senior level, and Spanish forward Mateo Joseph (Leeds United), who scored 7 goals in 9 appearances for Spain.

 

Also worth following are Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche, Lyon's dazzling Rayan Cherki, and Rennes' Arnaud Kalimuendo, who has scored 13 goals in 25 matches this season.

 

In the English camp, expect James McTee, a midfielder rising at Manchester City, and Jobe Bellingham, a Sunderland player with 4 goals and 3 assists, to shine. England aims to win the tournament for the second time in a row.

 

Finally, on the German side, Nicolò Tresoldi (a 20-year-old forward from Hannover 96) and Bright Arrey-Mbi, a defender from Sporting Clube de Braga, are names to watch out for.

 

Regardless of individual performances, it will be the team effort that will carry the UEFA Euro Under 21 trophy home, and we hope it will be Henrique Araújo, Portugal’s captain, who lifts it.