UEFA U21 European Championship 2023: Dates, Draw, Live Streaming & Preview

Europe’s rising stars will be in action during June and July as the 2023 UEFA U21 European Championship is staged in Romania and Georgia.

Germany claimed the title with a victory over Portugal in 2021 and are the favourites to lift the prestigious trophy for the fourth time.

Read on as we look at the upcoming tournament before offering our thoughts on the leading contenders.

UEFA U21 European Championship 2023 Dates

Here are the key dates for the 2023 UEFA U21 European Championship:

• Group stage: June 21-28.
• Quarter-finals: July 1-2.
• Semi-finals: July 5.
• Final: July 8.

UEFA U21 European Championship 2023 Draw

There are 16 teams in four groups of four in the first stage of the tournament. The draw is as follows:

• Group A: Georgia, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands.
• Group B: Romania, Spain, Ukraine, Croatia.
• Group C: Czech Republic, England, Germany, Israel.
• Group D: Norway, Switzerland, France, Italy.

The top two teams in each group qualify for the quarter-finals. The U21 European Championship is then played as a straight knockout competition through to the final.

How to Watch the 2023 UEFA U21 European Championship

Selected matches will be streamed live in numerous countries worldwide on UEFA.tv. Fans of the competing teams can watch on the following outlets.

• Belgium: RTBF, VRT.
• Croatia: HRT.
• Czech Republic: CT.
• England: Sky Sports.
• France: France Television.
• Germany: ProSiebenSat.1
• Georgia: GBP.
• Israel: KAN/Charlton.
• Italy: RAI.
• Netherlands: NOS.
• Norway: NRK, TV2 Norway.
• Portugal: RTP.
• Romania: TVR.
• Spain: Mediaset Espana.
• Switzerland: SRG.
• Ukraine: PBC.

UEFA U21 European Championship 2023 Preview

The U21 Euros has historically featured some of the finest players ever to grace professional football.

Xavi and Andrea Pirlo are among the names who have showcased their talents in the tournament before making their mark at the top of the tree.

Germany emerged victorious two years ago, with Lukas Nmecha’s goal securing a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the final.

They are rated as favourites to retain the title, although that may prove difficult with several other teams in with a chance of lifting the trophy.

Spain are the obvious candidates to knock Germany off their perch having reached four of the last six U21 European Championship finals.

They triumphed in 2011, 2013 and 2019 and will likely make a strong bid to add another success to their tally this time around.

The England squad will head into the tournament with plenty of expectations on their shoulders, but they do not appeal as likely winners.

The Young Lions have not lifted the trophy since 1984 and often flatter to deceive in major tournaments – much like the senior team.

France and Italy should be competitive, while 2021 runners-up Portugal will fancy their chances of finally breaking their duck in the UEFA U21 Euros.