As the UEFA Under 21 Championship got underway in the Netherlands this week there were few first round goals, but a shock as Serbia defeated five times champions Italy.
The UEFA Under 21 Championships got underway this week in the Netherlands, with eight teams fighting for the right to be crowned kings of Europe. Some of Europe’s up and coming stars including Manchester United’s new signing Nani, Juventus striker Raffaele Palladino and Ajax starlet Ryan Babel, will all be displaying their talents. Italy, and host nation, the Netherlands are favourites to claim this years championship.
Tournament History
The first UEFA Under 21 Championship final took place in 1978, when the former Yugoslavia defeated, the then East Germany, 5-4 on aggregate, in a two legged final. Since then Italy have dominated, winning the championship on five separate occasions. England, Spain and the former USSR have won the trophy on two occasions; with the Netherlands, Czech Republic and France all having won the title once.
Group A
The opening game, in Group A, saw hosts, and current holders, the Netherlands take on Israel. A crowd of over 22,000 at the Abe Lenstra Stadium, Heerenveen, watched a closely contested game. The only goal of the game came after ten minutes when Ajax’s Hedwiges Maduro turned in a free kick, supplied by man of the match, Royston Drenthe. The other Group A game, at the Euroborg Stadium, Groningen, saw Belgium and Portugal play out an entertaining goalless draw. The next round of matches, in Group A, resumes on Wednesday the13th June when the Netherlands take on Portugal, and Belgium meet Israel.
Group B
Meanwhile, in Group B, England and the Czech Republic played out a goalless draw in Arnhem. England had an opportunity to take all three points when they were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute, but Reading’s Leroy Lita put the spot kick wide. The other Group B game, in Nijmegen, created the shock of the tournament so far when Serbia, playing in the finals for the first time, as an independent nation, beat tournament favourites Italy. Midfielder Dejan Milovanovic secured all three points for Serbia with a 63rd minute strike. Group B resumes on Thursday the 14th of June when England meet Italy in Arnhem, and Serbia take on the Czech Republic in Nijmegan.
Tournament Schedule
The group stages will finish after the third round of group matches, with the top two teams in each group contesting the semi-finals; the semi-finals will be played on Wednesday the 20th of June. The semi-final winners will meet in the tournament final which will take place at the Euroborg Stadium, Groningen, on Saturday the 23rd June.
