UEFA European Under-21 Championship

International youth football tournament.

The UEFA European Under-21 Championship, commonly referred to as the Euro Under-21, is a biennial football competition contested by the under-21 national teams of UEFA member associations. Established in 1978, the tournament has served as a crucial platform for young talent in Europe and has also acted as a qualification tournament for the Summer Olympics since 1992. Italy and Spain are the most successful teams in the tournament's history, each having won five titles. England is the current champion, having secured their third title in the 2023 final against Spain.

The tournament format consists of a qualifying phase followed by a final tournament. The qualifying phase involves teams competing in groups, with the top teams advancing to the finals. The final tournament features 16 teams divided into four groups of four, with the top two from each group progressing to the knockout stage, which includes quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final.

Historically, the competition has seen various changes in its structure. Initially, it featured fewer teams and different knockout formats. Over time, it expanded to include more teams and introduced a group stage format for the finals. The 2021 edition marked a significant change with an increase in participants from 12 to 16 teams.

The tournament has produced many players who have gone on to achieve success at senior levels, making it an important event for player development. Notable past champions include Germany, who have won three titles, and other successful nations like France and Russia.