The qualifying group draw for the next Euro under 21 campaign is being made at the end of the month. Finals to be played in Georgia and Romania in 2023 and 14 qualifying places are available alongside the two hosts.
Similar to the seniors we'll be in the third pot in the draw, so likely to face a heavy hitter from Pot 1 and probably another very decent team from Pot 2. Also the likes of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are possible opponents as they are all below us in Pot 4.
Matches will start in March (Covid permitting) and run until the playoffs in September 2022.
We should be able to name a decent squad at the start of this campaign although, like last time, there is a risk of it being weakened by call ups to the senior team as we go through the group. The likes of Aaron Connolly, Jason Knight and Adam Idah, although eligible, are unlikely to feature in the campaign.
Presumably Gavin Bazunu should start as first choice keeper. In defence we will have the likes of Nathan Collins, Lee O'Connor, Festy Ebosele, Mark McGuinness and Andrew Omobamidele. Sean Roughan, although only 17, might also feature at some stage in the group.
In midfield there's Joe Hodge, Will Smallbone, Luca Connell, Conor Coventry and Gavin Kilkenny. And in the forwards we could have Troy Parrott as well as Michael Obafemi, Joshua Kayode, Jonathan Afolabi, Ryan Cassidy and Will Ferry as well as possibly Mipo Odubeko. Depending on how he goes at Brighton Evan Ferguson could become involved at some stage as well, although he will also be eligible for the 2025 and 2027 qualifying campaigns.
https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/02...aw-28-january/
Last edited by Eirambler; 16/01/2021 at 7:45 PM.
You can breathe a sigh of relief that due to the seedings, Ireland cannot be paired again in the group stages with that mighty power in world football, Iceland. The relationship was ....nice, while it lasted.
Both 3rd seeds?
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