The highly anticipated final of the Under-21 Euro 2023 is set to take place at the Adjarabet Arena, showcasing a clash between England Under-21s‘ strong defensive line and Spain Under-21s‘ relentless attackers. England secured their spot in the final with an impressive 3-0 victory over Israel, while Spain crushed Ukraine with a dominant 5-1 win.
During England’s semi-final match against Israel, the players appeared fatigued at times, resembling two teams in dire need of a vacation. However, Lee Carsley’s young talents replicated their success from the group stage and secured a well-deserved place in the final. After a missed penalty, Morgan Gibbs-White redeemed himself with a stunning header to open the scoring in the 42nd minute. Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer then found a way past Israel’s struggling defense to seal the victory.
Carsley, a firm believer in his young squad, couldn’t contain his praise after they became the first England side to reach the final of the Under-21 European Championships since 2009. The team’s previous final appearance resulted in a disappointing defeat against Germany. England has struggled to progress beyond the group stage in recent editions, making this achievement all the more remarkable.
The Under-21 European title has eluded England for 39 years, with their last triumphs occurring in 1982 and 1984. This year, however, they have yet to concede a single goal, thanks to the defensive prowess of James Trafford, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Levi Colwill. Germany and Portugal, both strong opponents, failed to breach their solid defense. Yet, Spain’s merciless attacking line will pose the toughest challenge yet for the Young Lions.
Although Spain hasn’t matched England’s flawless defensive record, their potent attack has compensated for any defensive shortcomings. Ukraine experienced the full force of Santi Denia’s relentless charges during the semi-final, after initially breaking the deadlock with a goal in the 13th minute. Spain swiftly turned the tide with goals from Abel Ruiz, Oihan Sancet, Antonio Blanco, Aimar Oroz, and Sergio Gomez.
Spain has an impressive record in the Under-21 European Championships, having won the title five times, on par with Italy. Their victories came in 2011, 2013, and 2019, and they have a record-extending ninth final appearance this year. Spain brings a 19-game unbeaten streak to the Adjarabet Arena, with their most recent loss occurring in the 2021 semi-finals against Portugal.
The head-to-head record between England and Spain favors the Young Lions, as they have never been defeated in their five previous encounters. Their most recent meeting in the group stage of the 2011 tournament ended in a 1-1 draw. In the 1984 final under the late Dave Sexton, England emerged victorious with a 3-0 aggregate score.
Despite losing midfielder Jacob Ramsey to an ankle injury before the semi-final, England managed to put three goals past Israel. Manager Lee Carsley will be relieved that no additional players picked up injuries in the match. Furthermore, Carsley will benefit from the return of Max Aarons and Ben Johnson from suspension, providing a double defensive boost. Aarons may replace Luke Thomas on the left-hand side, but James Garner has performed well as a makeshift right-back throughout the tournament.
Spain’s manager, Santi Denia, also has a full squad at his disposal for the final. Notably, two of the tournament’s top scorers, Sergio Gomez and Abel Ruiz, both with three goals, will spearhead Spain’s attack. Gabri Veiga, despite his impressive performances in La Liga and links to top European clubs, has been limited to substitute appearances throughout the tournament.
Possible lineups for the final:
England Under-21s: Trafford; Garner, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Aarons; Smith Rowe, Jones, Gomes, Palmer; Gibbs-White, Gordon
Spain Under-21s: Tenas; V. Gomez, Paredes, Pacheco, Miranda; Baena, Blanco, Sancet; Sanchez, Ruiz, S. Gomez
As England and Spain prepare to battle for the Under-21 European crown, both teams are eager to etch their names in the history books and claim continental glory. It promises to be a thrilling final between staunch defenders and merciless attackers, captivating football fans worldwide.