European Under-21 Championship Outright Predictions: Germany to Shine
The European Under-21 Championship is set to kick off in Slovakia, featuring a talented crop of young footballers from across the continent. According to the Racing Post, Germany are a top pick to win the tournament outright, with odds of 4-1.
Germany had a disappointing campaign in the 2023 European Under-21 Championship, exiting at the group stage with a draw and two defeats. However, they have assembled a strong squad for this summer’s tournament, and the Racing Post believes they have a good chance of lifting the trophy.
Seven former European Under-21 champions are competing in the tournament, including defending champions England, who won the competition for a third time in 2023. England’s victory was secured by a 1-0 triumph over Spain in the final, with Curtis Jones scoring the decisive goal.
Lee Carsley was the mastermind behind the Young Lions’ triumph in Georgia and remains in charge, having had a six-game stint managing the senior team towards the end of last year. Carsley did not always look comfortable with the senior set-up, but he continues to progress the Under-21 side, who breezed through qualifying, taking 26 points from ten matches.
England have assembled a strong squad for Slovakia and deserve to be among the market leaders, although they seem to have landed in the tougher half of the draw. The Young Lions are up against Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovenia in Group A, and while a top-two finish looks likely, that would probably set them up for a demanding quarter-final against one of the Group A heavyweights – Spain or Italy – who have each won the competition five times and are the joint-most successful teams in its history.
The Racing Post notes that England are capable of beating any rival this summer, but they seem to lack a focal point in attack, which may hinder them in the knockout rounds. In contrast, Germany appear to have a better-balanced squad, with Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade and Club Brugge centre-forward Nicolo Tresoldi, recently signed from Bundesliga 2 side Hannover, scoring four goals each in qualifying.
Woltemade has just completed a strong season in the Bundesliga, scoring 12 goals in 28 appearances, and twice featured for Germany’s senior team in last week’s Nations League finals matches. He could be one of the stars of the tournament and may play a key role in helping Germany to get their hands on the trophy.
Spain have featured in three of the last four Nations League finals – lifting the cup in 2019 and finishing second in 2017 and 2023 – and are expected to have another strong tournament. However, their squad looks rather inexperienced, with only five players capped ten times or more.
Italy have gone with a more mature squad, featuring ten players with ten or more caps, and could challenge Spain for Group A supremacy. The Azzurrini are strong defensively, were unbeaten throughout qualifying, and are another of the talented teams in a strong top half of the draw.
In Groups C and D, France are the odds-on favourites, but are hard to trust after finishing below Slovenia in qualifying Group H. The Netherlands are the only former tournament winners housed in Group D, but they haven’t contested the final since being crowned champions for the second time in 2007.
The Racing Post recommends backing Germany to win the European Under-21 Championship, with odds of 4-1. With a strong squad and a balanced team, they have a good chance of success in Slovakia.
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