The UEFA European Under-19 Championship reaches the knockout stage on Wednesday with four nations just one victory away from the final.
Spain take on Croatia in Denbigh before Ukraine face Germany in Wrexham, with all four sides hoping to keep their title ambitions alive.
Spain v Croatia
Spain and Croatia arrive in the semi-finals by very different routes. Spain have extended their record with a 13th appearance in the last four after another dominant campaign, sealing qualification with a game to spare. Croatia, meanwhile, are featuring in only their second Under-19 EURO semi-final after booking their place on the final matchday with a decisive victory.
Spain have been the standout team of the tournament so far. Three wins from three, 14 goals scored and no goals conceded have underlined the quality of Paco Gallardo’s side, who have looked strong at both ends of the pitch.
“The group stage is behind us now. We’ve achieved our first objective, but we’ve won nothing yet”, said Gallardo. “I’m very happy with the three games we’ve played, but now [the group stage] is over. We need to play the semi-finals. We’ve not won anything yet, only the three matches. I’m very happy with the team and how we’ve performed, so we need to continue. We will try to win our semi-final and go to the final.”
Croatia arrive with plenty of confidence after securing qualification with an impressive victory on the final matchday. Their resilience throughout the tournament has earned them a place in only their second-ever Under-19 EURO semi-final, and they will be aiming to reach the final for the first time.
Midfielder Lovro Chelfi says the squad are determined to make the most of the opportunity. “We’ll give everything to try and win the tournament. “The feeling is fantastic, I can’t believe it! Our goalkeeper said ‘miracles are possible’ and we made it happen. We scored that goal quickly and played a great game, I’m so proud of the boys.”
Siniša Orešcanin, Croatia’s head coach, added: “I think this is a great success for our players, a great success for the entire staff, directors, all the people around us and our country. The emotions are too much. We kept on believing after the first game [a 3-1 defeat vs Ukraine]. Maybe there is no better scenario than this.”
Spain have yet to concede a goal throughout their Under-19 EURO campaign, while this is Croatia’s first semi-final appearance since 2010.
Ukraine v Germany
For Ukraine and Germany, both sides are aiming to put recent semi-final disappointments behind them. Ukraine’s last appearance at this stage came in 2024, while Germany reached the final four in 2025. Both nations will be looking to return to the final for the first time since lifting the trophy, with Ukraine crowned champions in 2009 and Germany most recently winning the competition in 2014.
Ukraine have impressed throughout Group B, finishing top with a perfect record of three wins from three. Goals from Pavlo Liusin, Vitaliy Hlyut and Bohdan Olychenko have been among the highlights of the tournament so far as the Ukrainians have shaken up the group with the attacking quality.
“We’ll have to defend well, stay together and be prepared to suffer when we don’t have the ball, said Ukraine head coach Dmytro Mikhailenko.
Germany booked their place in the last four with a game to spare, but their campaign has shown both their strengths and weaknesses. They have been one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking teams, although defensive lapses have proved costly at times.
Germany were on the losing side of the highest-scoring game in Under-19 EURO finals history in last year’s semi-finals, losing 6-5 after extra time against Spain. Germany are two-time champions, most recently in 2014.
