Euro U21 Championship, 2019 in Italy

[Bluenine]

This is the only youth tournament I always love to watch. The level is seriously good every time, you can see which youngsters are destined to become great. Some of the greatest players made their mark from Euro U21.

This time, Italy and England look like the favourites. The Azzurrini have a tough group:

Group A: Italy, Spain, Poland, Belgium
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Serbia, Austria
Group C: England, France, ROmania, Croatia

Potential Starting XI:

Kean - Chiesa
Zaniolo
Barella - Mandragora - Pellegrini
Dimarco - Mancini - Romagna - Adjapong
Audero​

If Di Biagio cannot win with this squad and at home, then he deserves to get fired.

 

[ScottishInterista]

How does the knockouts work with three groups.

 

[Bluenine]

How does the knockouts work with three groups.

The 3 group winners and only the best 2nd placed team qualify for the semi finals.

 

[forzainter257]

Wow just look at this midfield and offence.

 

[Bluenine]

I seriously recommend you to watch these games. I enjoy Euro U21 almost as much as the senior Euro or the World Cup. The level and competition is seriously good.

I still remember the first U21 final I saw - it was the 1996 final between Italy and Spain. Italy had players like Totti, Nesta, Cannavaro, Vieri, Panucci, etc. Spain had this talented young striker called Raul and an amazing kid called Mandieta. Brilliant game, the Azzurini went down to 9 men and yet held on to a 1-1 draw to win on penalties. And I have been hooked to this tournament ever since, it rarely disappoints. I also remember the 2000 Euro U21 when our Pirlo looked like Zidane!

Am quite excited about this edition. Azzurrini have their best squad in over a decade. England have great squad too, France are always decent these days at any level. This is going to be exciting!

 

[brehme1989]

Do we have the schedule somewhere?

 

[crzdcolombian]

Group A is crazy!

 

[Dylan]

16th June Italy - Spain.

 

[Ethor]

In the US, Italy is on ESPNU Sunday June 16.

 

[Bluenine]

Do we have the schedule somewhere?

Group A
16 June 2019, 18:30 Poland v Belgium
16 June 2019, 21:00 Italy v Spain
19 June 2019, 18:30 Spain v Belgium
19 June 2019, 21:00 Italy v Poland
22 June 2019, 21:00 Belgium v Italy
22 June 2019, 21:00 Spain v Poland

Group B
17 June 2019, 18:30 Serbia v Austria
17 June 2019, 21:00 Germany v Denmark
20 June 2019, 18:30 Denmark v Austria
20 June 2019, 21:00 Germany v Serbia
23 June 2019, 21:00 Austria v Germany
23 June 2019, 21:00 Denmark v Serbia

Group C
18 June 2019, 18:30 Romania v Croatia
18 June 2019, 21:00 England v France
21 June 2019, 18:30 England v Romania
21 June 2019, 21:00 France v Croatia
24 June 2019, 21:00 Croatia v England
24 June 2019, 21:00 France v Romania

Semi-finals
27 June 2019, 18:00 Winners of Group A v Runners-up of Group B/C or Winners of Group C
27 June 2019, 21:00 Winners of Group B v Runners-up of Group A or Winners of Group C

Final
30 June 2019, 20:45 Winners of Semi-final 1 v Winners of Semi-final 2

 

[Bluenine]

Looking at all the squads, Italy U21 easily have the most star studded one. Azzurrini also have the best history in this championship, being 5 time winners. Playing at home this time, they should win this one too. But the big doubt I have is on Di Biagio, unfortunately he is quite a crap coach.

Azzurrini's lasy 6 games is DDLLWL, just 1 win in the last 6 games. In contrast, the opponents tomorrow Spain's form is WWWWLW.

Azzurrini should still win this game with the senior team releasing a lot of talent for this championship. I want to see the following line up:

Kean - Chiesa
Zaniolo
Barella - Mandragora - Pellegrini
Dimarco - Mancini - Romagna - Adjapong
Audero​

 

[ElDuccio]

ITALIA (4-3-3): Meret; Calabresi, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Barella, Mandragora, Pellegrini; Zaniolo, Kean, Chiesa.

 

[ADRossi]

If we can't win this tournament with that starting eleven, I wholeheartedly give up.

 

[brehme1989]

[youtube]EfzErdFG8Sk[/youtube]

2015 video. Gave me goosebumps seeing some of these faces/names there.

 

[rfU]

Does anyone have a legit stream for Italy-Spain? Youtube?

 

[firmino]

Does anyone have a legit stream for Italy-Spain? Youtube?

Try this: https://mailocal2.xyz/lv/rai-1/

It's from the Italian TV but shouldn't be geoblocked

 

[brehme1989]

what a goal by Ceballos!

 

[firmino]

Well, it didn't take long.

 

[ADRossi]

 

[brehme1989]

Ceballos going all Robby Baggio on the Italian defence