2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

[JR89]

Slovakia have been awarded hosts of the 2025 tournament and they were seeded higher than us for 2023 so good chance we've moved up to pot 2 for the 2025 tournament.

Dates announced for the upcoming campaign.


Date
Fixture


September 8, 2023
Ireland U21 v Türkiye U21


September 12, 2023
Ireland U21 v San Marino U21


October 13, 2023
Latvia U21 v Ireland U21


November 17, 2023
Norway U21 v Ireland U21


November 21, 2023
Ireland U21 v Italy U21


March 22, 2024
Ireland U21 v San Marino U21


September 6, 2024
Türkiye U21 v Ireland U21


September 10, 2024
Ireland U21 v Latvia U21


October 11, 2024
Ireland U21 v Norway U21


October 15, 2024
Italy U21 v Ireland U21



Links
uefa Under-21 (https://www.uefa.com/under21/)
2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_UEFA_European_Under-21_Championship)
2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_UEFA_European_Under-21_Championship_qualification)
2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group A (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_UEFA_European_Under-21_Championship_qualification_Group_A)

[CSAD]

Slovakia have been awarded hosts of the 2025 tournament and they were seeded higher than us for 2023 so good chance we've moved up to pot 2 for the 2025 tournament.

I did the calculations and based on the criteria used in previous campaigns and across those campaigns we have 9 more points than them

(2019 u21s they had 4 more points but this only accounts for 20% of the co efficient so think of it as 2 points, in 2021 we had 7 more points which accounts for 40% of the co efficient and then the 2023 campaign we had 4 more points which again accounts for 40% of the co efficient)

This means we are almost certainly seeded higher than Slovakia and unfortunately this means we’ll probably be in pot 3 for the draw.

[JR89]

Confirmed that we'll be second seeds in Thursdays draw for the 2025 U21 Euros.

[Eirambler]

Pot 1: Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Netherlands, England, Denmark, Italy, Romania

Pot 2: Croatia, Switzerland, Belgium, Czechia, Poland, Ukraine, Sweden, Austria, Republic of Ireland

Pot 3: Norway, Greece, Iceland, Slovenia, Israel, Finland, Georgia, Serbia, Scotland

Pot 4: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Türkiye, North Macedonia, Wales, Belarus, Northern Ireland, Albania

Pot 5: Kosovo, Montenegro, Moldova, Lithuania, Faroe Islands, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Latvia

Pot 6: Malta, Armenia, Luxembourg, Andorra, Estonia, Gibraltar, San Marino

Pot 1 looks stacked as usual. Unless they have an unusually strong squad you'd prefer Romania from that lot. Looking at Pot 3 Norway seem to be producing a lot of good young players these days so would probably be best avoided. I think Israel got to the Euro Under 19s final recently so they'll be strong again. Scotland also seem to have a decent group of young players coming through the ranks as well and are recruiting more heavily from England these days it seems, so they'll probably be strong also.

[yurt]

Huge that they've squeezed into the second pot. As always the draw is everything but things get so much easier being in pot 2 Vs pot 4.

I think I'm correct in saying Ireland have been ranked in and around the top 10 at u17 and u19 level in the recent past. It's good to finally start to see this ranking filter through to u21 now too.

Hopefully we have another decent showing in this group and can consolidate our place in pool 2.

[Eirambler]

It's always going to be harder for us at Under 21 level as players that stood out for the Under 17s and Under 19s are moved up into the senior squad. So it's a good sign of the improved depth of quality that we're producing that we are moving up the Under 21 rankings also. We're doing it without seven or eight of our best players a lot of the time, whereas for most countries they would just expect to lose two or three to their seniors.

Again this time we'll be competing without Bazunu, Omobamidele, Ferguson and Parrott from the start, and we could easily lose the likes of Ebosele and Hodge also. And that's if Ebosele even gets involved, he seemed disinterested in the Under 21s last time around.

[JR89]

Doubt he'll be getting a senior call up anytime soon so if Ebosele wants to pull on the green shirt it's gonna have to be with the U21.

[elatedscum]

Anyone know Ronan Boyce’s DOB? Have seen it both as December 2002 and May 2001, assuming the 2001 date is correct and he’s no longer 21s eligible

[tetsujin1979]

May 2001 according to Derry City, I'd go with that one
https://www.derrycityfc.net/player/ronan-boyce/

[CSAD]

I did the calculations and based on the criteria used in previous campaigns and across those campaigns we have 9 more points than them

(2019 u21s they had 4 more points but this only accounts for 20% of the co efficient so think of it as 2 points, in 2021 we had 7 more points which accounts for 40% of the co efficient and then the 2023 campaign we had 4 more points which again accounts for 40% of the co efficient)

This means we are almost certainly seeded higher than Slovakia and unfortunately this means we’ll probably be in pot 3 for the draw.

I think where I went wrong here is I completely forgot about Russia being booted out of the Euros. Obviously they would still be part of the ranking even if they aren’t allowed to take part.

[jbyrne]

tough draw...
italy, , norway, turkey, latvia, san marino

[Eirambler]

Definitely feels like we didn't get the benefit of being second seeds with that draw. I'd expect Norway and Turkey to be two of the strongest teams in their respective pots. In general we seem to be on a run of getting really tough draws at the moment, in terms of the seniors, the Under 21s and the women's team.

[tetsujin1979]

Just looking at the qualifying groups for last year's U19 Championship, we finished third in the Elite round (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_3_2), in a tough group, Turkiye finished bottom of their group (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_1_2), Norway finished third (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_6_2), Latvia finished third in the Qualifying Round

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_9)So, is there not a lot between the squads?

[tetsujin1979]

Compiled this list of players eligible for the tournament, there's a few that are in the senior team and unlikely to drop down like Aaron Connolly did.
Evan Ferguson will still be eligible for the 2027 tournament!
http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=7904081644643713672

[elatedscum]

Good list tets. Noticed a few things:

Ronan Boyce is included ;) not sure if Finn Mooney is with us (also included)

Missing a few names:

Defenders:

Jamie Egan
James Abankwah
Sam Curtis (very very young but if you’re not gonna start, Ebosele or Abankwah at right back, then Curtis could well start - other option is to start a left back or someone like Sobawele or Delaney - none are great options)

Midfielders - lots of the these could be classified as attackers as well:

Andy Moran
Ola Ibrahim
Darragh Burns
Tom Hill
Cristiano Fitzgerald
Ryan O’Kane

Attackers:

Michael Harris
Collin Oppong

[tetsujin1979]

I had Boyce's birthday in 2002, it's 2001 so I've removed him. Abankwah was born in 2004, so I guessed he'll be with the U19s
Curtis is 2005, that's a big jump to play U21 football. He might feature against San Marino
Andy Moran is there, as Andrew Moran. Ola Ibrahim is there, as Olamide Ibrahim

[Eirambler]

Squad looks talented but a bit lopsided. Plenty of options at centre back, left back, attacking midfield, on the wing and up front. Goalkeeper, right back and central midfield look a bit light in terms of depth.

Working on the basis that Bazunu, Omobamidele, Parrott and Ferguson won't be involved and assuming that Crawford sticks to his 4-3-3 that's really a 4-5-1 with a hopelessly isolated centre forward we might see a team something like this?

----------------------Keeley
Ebosele Lawal G-McNulty Roughan
-----------------Hodge Phillips
------------Hayes Moran Burns
---------------------Cannon

Later on in the group might see the likes of Curtis, Zefi, Vata and Ferizaj introduced depending on how they progress.

[elatedscum]

I guess my team would be:

Doherty

Ebosele
Lawal
McNulty
Adaramola

Hodge
Phillips

Okoflex
Moran
O'Neill

Cannon

with a back-up squad of

Keeley (Blair as 3rd keeper)

Abankwah
Roughan
Ogungbo
Furlong

Henry Francis
Leavy

Costello
Finn/Hill
Burns

Odubeko/Armstrong

----------------

I'd imagine Abankwah will be with the 19s in March considering their elite qualifiers. You could see a midfielder move up (one of McJannett, Ferizaj, Coleman) as there's very very little midfield depth outside that list - or any of the high potential lads like Zefi and Vata.

Right back is the interesting one - because I'd bet Crawford doesn't want to play Ebosele there, just on the wing. And if he views Abankwah as a centre-back, there's basically no viable options. You'd call Sobawele and Delaney ok, just barely, but it's a big dropoff to the rest of the squad. Maybe he'd play Adaramola on the right and Furlong on the left, or Roughan on the right and Adaramola on the left. Otherwise it's Sam Curtis, who's barely 17.

Keeper wise, it's very hard to tell - Arlo Doherty is very highly rated, Josh Keeley too. But the development of a 19 year old keeper is a tough thing to map. It's basically like a 16 or 17 year old outfielder. Daniel Rose was given credit for his 21s debut as a 17 year old in 2021 and now he's playing for an average US college

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/ill-give-everything-to-play-for-my-country-17-year-old-rose-sweet-on-goalkeeping-spot-after-stunning-u21-debut-40509044.html

Overall, looking at it from the outset, it's a very capable squad, as it is. Other dudes will emerge - younger kids from 2004 and 2005 - and just guys we'd never heard of, Bagan only emerged about 3 months from now in the last campaign - there'll be a handful like him and a handful of LOI lads who suddenly come to the fore and possibly get a move across or who do well enough here

It's a really tough draw but we should be coming 2nd. And it's probably about the same level group as we've gotten in the last two campaigns.

[CSAD]

I had Boyce's birthday in 2002, it's 2001 so I've removed him. Abankwah was born in 2004, so I guessed he'll be with the U19s
Curtis is 2005, that's a big jump to play U21 football. He might feature against San Marino
Andy Moran is there, as Andrew Moran. Ola Ibrahim is there, as Olamide Ibrahim

I would have agreed on Curtis if he was only playing academy footy but he’s playing week in week out at the top of the LOI, he’s absolutely ready to play at this level if the talent is there.

[JR89]

Dates announced for the upcoming campaign.

September 8, 2023 | Ireland U21 v Türkiye U21
September 12, 2023 | Ireland U21 v San Marino U21
October 13, 2023 | Latvia U21 v Ireland U21
November 17, 2023 | Norway U21 v Ireland U21
November 21, 2023 | Ireland U21 v Italy U21
September 6, 2024 | Türkiye U21 v Ireland U21
September 10, 2024 | Ireland U21 v Latvia U21
October 11, 2024 | Ireland U21 v Norway U21
October 15, 2024 | Italy U21 v Ireland U21

[JR89]

They originally left the away game against San Marino off the list which is March 22nd so only the one game in both October and March so assume friendlies will be organised as well as a training camp in June 2024.

[elatedscum]

if i was crawford, i'd have tried to get the funding to play Toulon this summer. this benefits for this new group would be excellent

[tetsujin1979]

Squad to play Turkey and San Marino to be announced on Thursday at 2pm

[tetsujin1979]

Squad announced, callups for Adam Murphy, Alex Murphy, Zak Gilsenan, Tyler Goodrham, Tony Springett and Owen Mason
1697254404595015826
No sign of Tom Cannon...

[JR89]

Baba Adeeko called up as a replacement for the injured Alex Murphy. Assume that's Lawal likely to remain at CB if Adeeko is being called up rather than another defender for Murphy.

[Eirambler]

Surprised they didn't just go for the straight switch and bring Negru in.

[JR89]

Surprised they didn't just go for the straight switch and bring Negru in.

If Lawal is his preferred first choice CB makes sense alright. Negru probably should have been in the squad in the first place alright. As much as Murphy is getting hyped at Newcastle didn't see the point of having Roughan, Furlong, and Murphy in the one squad.

[JR89]

Also points to the fact that Adeeko should have been in the squad from day one too. Especially if he starts against Turkey. The only other defensive midfielder in the squad if Lawal starts CB is Ed McJannet.

[liamoo11]

If Lawal is his preferred first choice CB makes sense alright. Negru probably should have been in the squad in the first place alright. As much as Murphy is getting hyped at Newcastle didn't see the point of having Roughan, Furlong, and Murphy in the one squad.

Was there not some rank that negru might get senior call up from Moldova?

[JR89]

Was there not some rank that negru might get senior call up from Moldova?

Doubt it really. He was talking about wanting to break into the Irish set up back in January when he joined Oxford. If anything was mentioned about a senior call up for Moldova was probably someone putting 2+2 together just cause he wasn't called up.

Might end up with Moldova but can't see that being for another few years once he's overage for the U21s and his chance with Ireland doesn't materialise. Which could easily happen when you consider O'Shea, Collins, and Omobamidele are so young and other youngsters who've yet to be capped.

[JR89]

Carty (ill) and Goodrham (hip injury) have been ruled out of tomorrows game.

[JR89]

Conservative line up from Crawford.

1700199822496829790

[elatedscum]

Jesus - awful

[Jolly Red Giant]

Conservative line up from Crawford.

Turkey have a lot of pace - and Crawford might be afraid of it.

[yurt]

Kenny sent clean through and couldn't even get a shot off after bothing the chance by over dribbling it.

A minute later we give away a pen. Not a great moment at both ends after we started well.

Italy drawing at home vs Latvia means top spot is completely open too which would make a loss here even harder to take.

[passinginterest]

Ireland much the better early on. Kenny missed a great one v one. Penalty for turkey was sloppy and since scoring they have improved. Roughan looks a good option on the left, decent set piece delivery too.

[elatedscum]

I’d have sympathy for Crawford. After the Iceland game I’d have said the ideal starting team would be:

Brooks (injured)

Abankwah (bench)
McNulty
Lawal
Alex Murphy (injured)

Phillips (bench)
Hodge (injured)
Moran

Armstrong (seniors)
Cannon (unavailable)
Ebosele (seniors)

Saying that, he’s picked the most stupid defensive team. No need to play 5 at the back - but he’s gone with three centre backs, a versatile centre back at LWB, a right back at RWB. If you’re gonna play that against Italy, I’ll accept it - but the selection just cedes possession the entire time, like we did against Israel and Sweden needlessly. Making a very very ordinary Turkey team look like world beaters.

Can’t see how he didn’t start Emakhu and one of Springett or Gilsenen. No real attacking threat except for capitalising on Turkish mistakes. Kenny needed to score his chance. Roughan also missed a sitter but that’s why you have Emakhu playing left wing instead of Roughan at left wing back.

I’d also seriously question the decision to play it in Cork. Not sure how they can sell out a friendly against Iceland and the stadium looks a quarter full on a beautiful 26C day when the campaign starts against Turkey. Stadium is absolutely dead. And the pitch is much much worse than a Tallaght would be.

[Trequartista20]

An unforgivable waste of the talent at his disposal.

Maybe John O'Shea should be given a crack at the job.

[passinginterest]

Some strike from Moran. And a second disallowed shortly after. Will hopefully go on and win it now.

[tommy_c12000]

I accept Crawford should have been banished after last campaign. Disappointing to see him stay on.

But where is this unforgivable waste of talent at his disposal. We have a serious problem with looking through everything with green tinted glasses. The only regular starters for their clubs are league 1 or worse players, and Armstrong at championship level. Moran has finally dipped his toes in real football. McNulty has played once in the Eredivisie. Emakhu has been an impact sub. While the others are more or less still playing underage club football. I just don’t see this amazing reservoir of talent

[JR89]

Goal of the year from Moran.

1700234672221880734

[eitoof]

Good finish but poor defence from us.

[eitoof]

Deserved that on the whole.

[passinginterest]

I thought the cynicism from turkey was killing the game but Moran did well to win the pen and Gilsenan took it well.
There’s got to be at least 10 minutes added time so there could be more twists.

[passinginterest]

Springett and Emakhu combine for a superb goal. Surely the winner! Good game overall.

[Insidetherock]

Be cheaper for one of the Big 3-4, to just give Brighton 30/40 million for Moran now, and save themselves 50 million in a few years ?

[elatedscum]

Can’t see how he didn’t start Emakhu and one of Springett or Gilsenen.

Stand by this.

Great win in the end. Still Crawford’s turning games we could win comfortably into games we have to eek out a result.

[Olé Olé]

A lot of great potential in that team. Liked Lawal, Emakhu and Moran a lot and all struck me to be fairly comfortable at that level. Healy looks very good technically. Very smart move by him to head to Belgium. A bit light for the Championship but has a fantastic right foot. Springett made his impact, McNulty and Adeeko could be okay. Roughan and Curtis are two lads I have liked before but the formation didn't suit them - wing backs without the want or permission to go past the half way line.

Moran is class. I feel like we will be watching him for a good while.

[JR89]

Stand by this.

Great win in the end. Still Crawford’s turning games we could win comfortably into games we have to eek out a result.

Yeah I see some saying fair play to Crawford his changes in the second half made the difference. While they did it was clear from the first half that Turkey could be got at from out wide and we didn't get Springett on for the third CB until the 84 minute.

If those changes come on earlier we win that game comfortable. The changes also proved that we should have started the game using 4-3-3/4-2-3-1


A lot of great potential in that team. Liked Lawal, Emakhu and Moran a lot and all struck me to be fairly comfortable at that level. Healy looks very good technically. Very smart move by him to head to Belgium. A bit light for the Championship but has a fantastic right foot. Springett made his impact, McNulty and Adeeko could be okay. Roughan and Curtis are two lads I have liked before but the formation didn't suit them - wing backs without the want or permission to go past the half way line.

Moran is class. I feel like we will be watching him for a good while.

They needed wingers playing ahead of them to be truly effective tonight. Roughan has some left foot though for getting balls into the box and set pieces.

[SkStu]

Highlights here

https://youtu.be/OwlInTvSThE?si=tyBM7HcRP8YmedUl

OwlInTvSThE