2019 UEFA Under-21 Euros

Mr.Nice Guy

This 12 team tournament gets under way today with Sky Sports covering it. Here are the groups:

Group A: Italy, Spain, Poland, Belgium.

Group B: Germany, Denmark, Serbia, Austria.

Group C: England, France, Romania, Croatia.


The group winners and best runner-up reach the last four.

Plenty of talent on show: Luka Jovic, Houssem Aouar, Phil Foden, Moise Kean, Dani Ceballos, Dodi Lukebakio, some of the names.

Players that featured in previous tournaments includes the likes of Bernardo Silva, Serge Gnabry, Thiago, Georginio Wijnaldum and Marco Verratti. What team and players will stand out this time? I'm looking forward to seeing France as their squad looks better than most senior sides.

Poland vs Belgium is the first game up at 5:30pm on Sky Sports Football. Teams:

Poland XI: Grabara; Fila, Wieteska, Bielik, Pestka; Jagiello, Dziczek, Żurkowski; Michalak, Kownacki, Szymanski.

Belgium XI: Jackers; Cools, Faes, Cobbaut, De Norre; Heynen, Mangala, Schrijvers; Lukebakio, Leya Iseka, Mbenza.

Keen to see how Lukebakio fares after his impressive season in the Bundesliga.

Italy vs Spain is on later at 8pm which could be very good.

Mr.Nice Guy

1-0 Belgium. Leya Iseka, brother of Batshuayi, with a nice finish.

1-1. Poland equaliser against the run of play via Zurkowski. Didn't look like he should be scoring from there.

1-1 at Half-Time. Belgium stronger early but Poland finished the half better. Mbenza doing well for Belgium.

2-1 Poland now. Arsenal's Bielik with a nice header.

3-1 to Poland. Great run from Michalak and he finds Szymanski who can't miss. Looks like Poland are off to a winning start.

3-2! Cools with a header from a corner. Exciting finish to the game.

Mr.Nice Guy

Ends 3-2 to Poland. Exciting start to the competition. Zurkowski looked good for the Poles and Bielik defended well.

Italy vs Spain coming up at 8. Teams:

Italy XI: Meret; Calabresi, Mancini, Bonifazi, Dimarco; Pellegrini, Barella, Mandragora; Chiesa, Kean, Zaniolo.

Spain XI: Unai Simon; Aguirregabiria, Vallejo, Mere, Aaron; Zubeldia, Fabian; Ceballos, Soler, Oyarzabal; Mayoral.

Mr.Nice Guy

CEBALLOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

What a goal!

https://twitter.com/KiyanSo/status/1140336267835707393

Mr.Nice Guy

Chiesa equalises with what looked initially like an intended cross. Keeper should do better.

Mr.Nice Guy

Chiesa makes it 2-1! Poor from the Spanish defence with no one aware of him.

Mr.Nice Guy

Pellegrini makes it 3-1 from the penalty spot. Looks like Italy are going to get off to a winning start.

Full-Time: Second comeback win of the day as Italy turn it around. Chiesa was very good; Ceballos unlucky to be on the losing side after a great performance.

wadacrack

Spain were very poor, physically bullied by Italy. Chiesa was the best attacker on the pitch. Spain lack abit of pace in attack , their midfield is probably the best in the tournament however

BullBlackNova

Saw a few tweets this morning noting that there isn't a single Barca player in the Spain squad for the first time ever. Interesting to see that the current crop of La Masia grads aren't up to scratch. Or aren't Spanish...

Impressed by this Italian team. Some really talented players in there - Pellegrini is good and the front three is excellent.

ERG89

BullBlackNova wrote: »

Saw a few tweets this morning noting that there isn't a single Barca player in the Spain squad for the first time ever. Interesting to see that the current crop of La Masia grads aren't up to scratch. Or aren't Spanish...

Impressed by this Italian team. Some really talented players in there - Pellegrini is good and the front three is excellent.

Alena should be in there but if you look at the squad 19 players are 22 or 23 years old which means they have more first team experience.
Meanwhile Santi Cazorla and Jesus Navas are in the senior squad which confuses me.

Mr.Nice Guy

Looks like Hannes Wolf, who gave Austria the lead over Serbia, has broken his leg. Referee gives a red to Jovanovic which looks harsh as it seemed an unfortunate incident.

And Austria make it 2-0 from the resulting free-kick.

It ends 2-0 to Austria but the game overshadowed by the broken leg to Wolf. Germany vs Denmark coming up at 8. Teams:

Germany XI: Nuebel; Klostermann, Tah, Baumgartl, Henrichs; Oztunali, Maier, M. Eggestein; Dahoud; Waldschmidt, Richter.

Denmark XI: Iversen; Kristensen, Nelsson, Rasmussen, Pedersen; Jensen, Billing, Andersen; Skov, Ingvartsen, Bruun Larsen.

1-0 Germany. Richter finishes with the aid of a deflection.

2-0 Germany. Richter again after a great counter-attack.

3-0 Germany. Another lightning counter from a corner and Waldschmidt with a cool finish. The Germans looking lethal on the break.

3-1. Denmark pull one back via the spot. Not quite over yet...

Over now. Impressive 3-1 win for Germany. Looking forward to England vs France tomorrow evening.

Mr.Nice Guy

Teams for England vs France from 8pm:

England XI: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Tomori, Clarke-Salter, Dasilva; Maddison, Choudhury, Foden; Sessegnon, Solanke, Gray.

France XI: Bernardoni; Dagba, Upamecano, Konate, Ballo-Toure; Reine-Adelaide, Tousart, Aouar; Ikone, Dembele, Bamba.

A lot of talent on both sides but what leaps out is that most of the French team are getting regular, top tier football. 5/6 of the midfield and attack feature for for Lille and Lyon, and will be playing Champions League in a few months. Bamba vs Wan-Bissaka will be a particularly interesting duel; both have had great seasons. Leipzig connection at CB too and keeper Bernardoni had a good season with Nimes. Think England will have their work cut out for them here. I'll go 2-1 France.

Romania have beaten Croatia 4-1 in the early game. Ianis Hagi, son of legendary Gheorghe, on the scoresheet.

Mr.Nice Guy

Solanke goes close for England but puts it wide. England starting well; France sloppy in possession.

Mr.Nice Guy

Penalty to France for handball. Clarke-Salter involved.

And Henderson saves from Dembele!

Mr.Nice Guy

0-0 at the break. Game is more entertaining than the scoreline suggests. Henderson besides the peno save from Dembele saved one vs one with him, while England nearly got a goal with Konate turning the ball on to his own post. Demarai Gray and Jonathan Ikone going close for each side by cutting in from the right.

Henderson been impressive for England. Wan-Bissaka's done well although he made the mistake that put Dembele in. Choudhury and Foden look good in midfield. Solanke and Gray look lively up top. Upamecano has defended well for France. Reine-Adelaide with some nice touches. Would like to see more from Aouar whose passing hasn't been his usual standard. All to play for as it stands.

Mr.Nice Guy

1-0 England as Phil Foden shows good footwork before a nice low finish. Dembele had earlier spurned another good chance.

Mr.Nice Guy

France have another penalty. Choudhury fouls Bamba. Will Dembele take this one?

And it's a red for Choudhury after a VAR review. Looked a bad lunge. Bamba stretchered off. Hope that's not as serious as it looks.

And Aouar hits the post from the spot! France have wasted two pens.

Jelle1880

France's finishing has been woeful, would be daylight robbery if England win this but their own fault.


edit: :pac:

Mr.Nice Guy

1-1. Ikone cuts in from the right and scores a nice low finish. England were defending well but France make their pressure count. One minute of normal time left plus whatever the ref adds on.

5 minutes of stoppage time. France seeking the winner.

Mr.Nice Guy

It's in! France have won it at the death! Wan-Bissaka O.G. looks like. Yep. Poor play from him.

martyos121

LOL.

Looked so much easier to clear on the replay too, shocking stuff from Wan-Bissaka.

Utopia Parkway

Keeper would have put his hat on that only for WB booting it into the roof of the net.

Guy:Incognito

Wan-Bissaka trying to wrap his foot awkwardly around a ball instead of just using his left foot.

Bloody professional footballers, thats horrific. No excuse.

Jelle1880

Why did he think that was a good idea ?

Keeper would have gotten that easily...

Mr.Nice Guy

Full-Time. It ends 2-1 to France. Think that was a fair outcome in the end as France get away with blowing two pens. Ikone very lively for France cutting in from the right. Just hope Bamba's injury isn't too bad. Would be gutted for him if he misses out on the Champions League after the season he's had. That really was a bad challenge from Choudhury.

https://twitter.com/Louis_taylor21/status/1141080009974718465

MD1990

Bamba was very impressive before his injury.

Utopia Parkway

Kept an eye on AWB as I didn't see much of Palace last season. He has the pace alright to defend one on one but still looks fairly raw in large parts. And he doesn't seem to offer all that much going forward.

Now I didn't watch him every week but I'd be sorely tempted to take that money if I was Palace.

Agent Coulson

Jaysus that tackle is disgraceful he should be sent home from the tournament for that.

Mr.Nice Guy

West Ham's new signing Pablo Fornals came off the bench to give Spain a 2-1 win over Belgium.

https://twitter.com/TalkingLaLiga/status/1141411927953956865

ERG89

Italy vs Poland is a tedious watch. Poland are sitting back on a one goal lead off a goalkeeping mistake, timewasting when possible & Italy have put in about 8,341 bad crosses into the box that Huddersfield would manage to defend against.

Dots1982

ERG89 wrote: »

Italy vs Poland is a tedious watch. Poland are sitting back on a one goal lead off a goalkeeping mistake, timewasting when possible & Italy have put in about 8,341 bad crosses into the box that Huddersfield would manage to defend against.

Think it’s a harsh take to say that was goalkeeping mistake. Maybe Oblak or De Gea would save it but it was a very early surprise snap shot with GK caught wrong footed.

Italy are a nice watch up front I think. Moise Kean is absolutely raging not to start and is good to watch.

ERG89

Dots1982 wrote: »

Think it’s a harsh take to say that was goalkeeping mistake. Maybe Oblak or De Gea would save it but it was a very early surprise snap shot with GK caught wrong footed.

Italy are a nice watch up front I think. Moise Kean is absolutely raging not to start and is good to watch.

A good goalie would palm that away it wasn't overly powerful & he got his hand to it.
Italy never looked like scoring the way they played the second half. Constantly playing it out wide & then the delivery was utterly hopeless.
The only chances were a long range effort & Chiesa's effort both of which came from nothing.

Dots1982

ERG89 wrote: »

A good goalie would palm that away it wasn't overly powerful & he got his hand to it.
Italy never looked like scoring the way they played the second half. Constantly playing it out wide & then the delivery was utterly hopeless.
The only chances were a long range effort & Chiesa's effort both of which came from nothing.

Ah yeah on reflection Italy’s attacking play was a bit same same. Wouldn’t place blame on the GK myself

Mr.Nice Guy

Did the goalscorer Bielik do well? He's on Arsenal's books. Two goals in two games for a defender is pretty good going.

Mr.Nice Guy

Denmark have beaten Austria 3-1.

Germany vs Serbia kicking off from 8pm. If Serbia can win then all teams will be on 3 points heading into the last group game.

Germany XI: Nuebel; Klostermann, Tah, Baumgartl, Henrichs; M. Eggestein; Oztunali, Dahoud, Neuhaus; Waldschmidt, Richter.

Serbia XI: Radunovic; Gajic, Milenkovic, Babic, Bogosavac; Lukic, Racic, Pantic; Zivkovic, Jovic, Radonjic.

Pleased to see Neuhaus starting this time. Jovic vs Tah will be a fun duel.

Mr.Nice Guy

1-0 Germany. Richter gets his third goal of the tournament with a nice finish from Oztunali's pass. Germany playing good stuff. Neuhaus been a big positive.

2-0 now after 30 minutes. Richter this time turns provider putting it on a plate for Waldschmidt.

3-0! Probably all over before half-time. Brilliant counter-attacking goal, finished off by Waldschmidt for his second of the game. Germany very entertaining to watch.

Half-Time: Germany well on top. Richter, Waldschmidt, Neuhaus and Oztunali catching the eye. Future of German football looks very bright. Serbia haven't got into the game.

4-0 with just over twenty minutes to go. Dahoud with a long range effort. Thought the keeper could have done better but it takes a slight deflection.

5-0. Keeper definitely should do better with this one as Waldschmidt gets his hat-trick with a shot that somehow finds its way past the keeper's grasp.

5-1. Germany not going to have a flawless evening as Dahoud concedes a pen which Zivkovic converts.

6-1! Goal of the evening with sub Arne Maier curling in a beautiful strike from outside of the box.

And that's the last action of the game. Germany fantastic.

Mr.Nice Guy

Must-win game for England as they take on Romania at 5:30pm. Teams:

England XI: Henderson; Kenny, Clarke-Salter, Tomori, Dasilva; Mount, Dowell, Maddison; Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Gray.

Romania XI: Radu; Manea, Nedelcearu, Pascanu, Stefan; Man, Baluta, Cicaldau, Ivan; Hagi; Puscas.

Five England changes from the team that lost to France. Kenny for Wan-Bissaka, Dowell for Foden, Barnes for Sessegnon, Calvert-Lewin for Solanke and Mount for the suspended Choudhury. I assume part of the thought process is to give everyone games as Foden was probably England's best player against France besides Henderson.

Romania shouldn't be underestimated though. They won their opener against Croatia 4-1. Hagi is the son of the legendary Gheorghe, while Baluta played well in their opener too. Their defender Nedelcearu is highly thought of and I'm keen to see how he fares against England's attack which should provide a tougher test than Croatia.

I'll go for England to edge it.

Mr.Nice Guy

What a miss! Ivan misses from a few yards out as England get away with one. Romania have started well.

England doing much better in the second half with Foden on. Just under twenty minutes for the teams to find a goal.

Mr.Nice Guy

Peno to Romania. Kenny with a clumsy challenge.

And Puscas makes it 1-0 Romania with 15 minutes remaining.

Mr.Nice Guy

Demarai Gray with a stunning strike! 1-1. Instant response.

Mr.Nice Guy

HAGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Just when it looked like England were about to find a winner, Tomori has a moment to forget and Hagi rifles a low strike past Henderson.

Mr.Nice Guy

2-2! Abraham with an equaliser as England find another instant response!

Some second half. Not over yet either.

Mr.Nice Guy

3-2 Romania!

It's a howler from Deam Henderson as he lets a very long range effort from Coman squirm through his grasp. What a game!

And Abraham hits the crossbar with a header! He's had a few chances since coming on.

greenfield21

That's the pick of the lot there, great finish

Mr.Nice Guy

COMAN!

4-2 Romania with a beautiful hit! Henderson rooted to the spot.

Amazing second half.

And now it's Full-Time. First half wasn't bad but the second half exploded into life. Surprised England lost that game as they had the chances to at least get a draw. Credit to Romania. Two games in a row where they've managed 4 goals.

This tournament is proving great entertainment.

Tom Mann Centuria

Aidy Boothroyd football genius.

Mr.Nice Guy

France vs Croatia kicks off at 8pm. At least a point for France sends England home.

France XI: Bernardoni; Dagba, Konate, Upamecano, Sarr; Ikone, Reine-Adelaide, Tousart, Thuram; Ntcham, Dembele.

Croatia XI: Posavec; Borevkovic, Uremovic, Katic, Sosa; Moro, Sunjic, Vlasic; Ivanusec, Jakolis, Muric.

Thuram comes in for the injured Bamba, Ntcham replaces Aouar and Sarr replaces Ballo-Toure. A few changes for Croatia too with Brekalo notably dropping to the bench.

Expecting to see France win well.

Mr.Nice Guy

1-0 France inside the first ten minutes. Dembele with a great header from Reine-Adelaide's cross.

Half-Time with France leading by a goal. France looking more threatening but Jakolis had a great chance to level only to put his shot just wide. Would like to see Sissoko or Aouar introduced in the second half.

Full-Time: It ends 1-0 to France which sees Croatia and England eliminated. Dembele had a good chance to get a second just before the end but put his header wide. Substitute Kulenovic hit the post for Croatia after bullying Upamecano off the ball. Think France deserved the win but they didn't make a statement with their performance as I thought they might. France will play Romania next to determine who tops the group. That should be a good game.

Mr.Nice Guy

Final group games this evening with Spain vs Poland and Italy vs Belgium both kicking off at 8pm. If Poland get a draw they're into the semi-finals as group winners.

Spain XI: Sivera; Aguirregabiria, Nunez, Mere, Caricol; F. Ruiz, Roca; Olmo, Ceballos, Fornals; Oyarzabal.

Poland XI: Grabara; Gumny, Fila, Wieteska, Bielik, Pestka; Michalak, Dziczek, Zurkowski, Szymanski; Buksa.

West Ham's new signing Fornals starts for Spain after scoring as a sub in the last game. Arsenal defender Bielik has done well in the tournament so far.

Think the Poles are capable of a draw. Suspect Italy will beat Belgium as the latter are already out.

Mr.Nice Guy

1-0 Spain. Fornals gets his second goal of the tournament, this time from close range. Fabian Ruiz went close with a fantastic effort that hit the bar just moments before.

2-0 Spain. Oyarzabal with a nice run and finish. Ruiz again hit the bar beforehand. Spain well on top here.

3-0 Spain. Fabian Ruiz finds the target at the third time of asking. Scoreline doesn't flatter Spain. They've been great.

Wow 4-0 Spain. Dani Ceballos with a beautiful free-kick. Him and Fabian Ruiz so dangerous with their strikes.

5-0 Spain. Sub Borja Mayoral with a nice low finish.

Full-Time. Spain blew Poland away in this game. Fabian Ruiz and Dani Ceballos were great. Poland hardly threatened. This was an impressive win as Poland were unbeaten in 14 of their last 16 games and had beaten Italy.

Spain top the group with Italy second and Poland eliminated with Belgium. Italy need to hope they get through as best second placed team. Apparently if France and Romania both draw then both will go through, which doesn't sound good for the Italians.

Dots1982

Spain were unreal last night. Genuinely .. this was another level to what I’d expect from an underage tournament.