UEFA European Football Forum

Elliott slams in a direct free kick, lovely goal, 2-0!

Elliott is sent through and chips the keeper, 3-0! Morton with the assist, it was a long pass, he's made a big impact on his debut.

3-0 FT. Good job boys. In control for the whole game. The chase continues. The way this group is going, I could see England and Ukraine winning every game and settling the group winner in England for our rematch.

https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/027e- ... e-of-play/

2025 Under-21 EURO qualifying groups and state of play
Tuesday, November 21, 2023

The groups run until October 2024 with 12 direct finals slots and six play-off berths.

Qualifying for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship is in progress with 52 teams competing in nine groups for 15 slots alongside hosts Slovakia.

Qualifying began in March 2023 but most teams began their campaigns this September. Matches resume in March 2024 and run until 15 October.

The nine group winners and the three best runners-up (not counting results against sixth-placed teams) will qualify directly for the final tournament in summer 2025. The other six runners-up will progress to the November 2024 play-offs for the last three finals spots.

2025 U21 EURO qualifying groups

Group standings: Team (Pld-Pts)

Group A: Italy (5-11), Republic of Ireland (5-10), Norway (5-9), Latvia (5-7), Türkiye (5-6), San Marino (5-0)

Unbeaten Italy are on top after beating San Marino 7-0 then equalising deep in added time to draw 2-2 in the Republic of Ireland. A 3-2 loss in Norway had previously ended Ireland's perfect start and they are one point behind Italy. Norway missed the chance to end the year in first as they were beaten 2-0 in Türkiye and stay third.

Group B: Spain (5-13), Scotland (5-10), Belgium (5-10), Hungary (6-7), Kazakhstan (4-3), Malta (5-0)

The 2023 runners-up Spain had their perfect start ended in their fifth game as they drew 1-1 in Belgium, who days earlier had themselves dropped points for the first time in a 2-0 home loss to Scotland. Spain lead by three points over Scotland, held 0-0 in Hungary, and Belgium.

Group C: Netherlands (6-18), Georgia (5-10), Sweden (5-7), Moldova (6-6), North Macedonia (4-3), Gibraltar (6-3)

The Netherlands, pipped to the 2023 quarter-finals by Georgia, reversed fortunes in their first October fixture with a 3-0 victory in Batumi, and after November's 1-0 defeat of Gibraltar and 4-2 victory in Sweden have six wins out of six. Georgia returned to second place with a 1-0 win in North Macedonia and Sweden remain third after Moldova fell to a 2-1 loss at home to Gibraltar, who recorded their first-ever official U21 away victory.

Group D: Germany (4-12), Poland (5-12), Bulgaria (6-9), Kosovo (6-8), Estonia (6-1), Israel (3-0)

Germany came from behind to win 3-1 against Poland in their last fixture of 2023 and remain perfect after four games while ending their visitors' own unblemished start. Bulgaria beat Estonia 6-0 to remain third, ahead of Kosovo after their 3-1 win against Israel.

Group E: Switzerland (5-11), Romania (5-10), Albania (5-9), Finland (4-6), Montenegro (3-3), Armenia (6-1)

Switzerland ended 2023 on top after equalising twice in a 2-2 draw with Romania. That keeps Switzerland a point clear of Romania, who had defeated previous leaders Albania 5-0 four days earlier. Albania are a further point adrift after their game in Montenegro was abandoned after 27 minutes at 0-0 due to the weather conditions and will resume on 7 June. Finland's 6-0 defeat of Armenia left them within three points of third, with a game in hand on the top three.

Group F: Ukraine (5-15), England (holders) (5-12), Serbia (5-9), Azerbaijan (4-3), Luxembourg (6-3), Northern Ireland (5-3)

Ukraine have five wins from five after defeating Luxembourg 4-0 and Azerbaijan 1-0 in November. The leaders gained a last-gasp 3-2 victory against England in October, the Young Lions' first U21 away qualifying defeat since 14 November 2011, a run of 28 matches. England, still boasting several key members of their 2023 champion squad, are within three points after 3-0 wins in Serbia and against Northern Ireland. Serbia are three further points back after a 2-0 win against Luxembourg.

Group G: Portugal (5-12), Greece (6-11), Croatia (4-10), Faroe Islands (5-7), Andorra (6-3), Belarus (8-3)

Portugal's perfect record was ended in their last game of the year as they lost 2-1 in Greece, who had enjoyed a 3-0 win against the Faroe Islands four days earlier. Greece are within a point of Portugal having played a match more. Unbeaten Croatia won 1-0 against Belarus, who now cannot qualify, and are one further point back but have played a game fewer than Portugal.

Group H: France (4-9), Slovenia (4-9), Austria (4-7), Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-3), Cyprus (4-1)

Austria ended France's perfect start under Thierry Henry with a 2-0 win in November. That result leaves Austria within two points of both France (who do not play again in the group until September) and Slovenia. Bosnia and Herzegovina got off the mark with a 2-1 victory in Cyprus.

Group I: Denmark (4-8), Wales (5-8), Iceland (3-6), Czechia (3-2), Lithuania (3-0)

After ending Iceland's perfect start with a 1-0 win in their first November game and going top, Wales then lost 2-0 at home to Denmark. That left Denmark, the last unbeaten team in the group, level on points with Wales and holding a game in hand. Iceland, who have played one further match fewer, are two points back.

March 2024 qualifying fixtures: https://www.uefa.com/under21/fixtures-r ... 2024-03-21

Qualifying state of play: https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/027e- ... e-of-play/

Very tough match for Polish U-21 vs Israel on a neutral ground in Germany, but victorious. An impressive winning goal by Kajetan Szmyt: https://streamable.com/mny6oh

Azerbaijan vs England has begun on the England Youtube.

England set about them with gusto from the opening whistle, and the breakthrough comes as Elliott takes down a ball into the box and slots into the netting behind the post.

Madueke quickly adds a second scoring from a cutback.

Big save by Trafford.

0-3, corner headed in by Harwood-Bellis!

Rogers puts it on a platter for Elliott to slam in. He has 7 goals in this campaign now! 0-4.

Azerbaijan bang in a rebound, 1-4.

England cut through them and Gray scores with a great finish into the netting behind the post, 4 goal lead restored, 1-5!

1-5 FT. England continue to rack up goals in victories, which could be the difference between auto qualifying and a playoff if we lose the group to Ukraine.

Ukraine are playing Morocco U23 later today.