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Wales draw Denmark again in Euro27 U21 qualifying

Wales draw Denmark again in Euro27 U21 qualifying

BBC News06-02-2025

Wales have been drawn against Denmark, Belgium, Austria and Belarus in qualifying for the 2027 Uefa European Under-21 Championship.The draw pairs them again with Denmark who were the winners of Wales' qualifying group for the 2025 finals, when manager Matty Jones' side narrowly missed out on a play-off place.None of the other sides in Group I - one of the groups with five rather than six teams - qualified for this summer's tournament in Slovenia.In qualifying for 2027 the nine group winners and the runner-up with the best record against the top five in their group qualify directly for the final tournament along with hosts Albania and Serbia.The eight other runners-up will contest play-offs to determine the four remaining finalists.Group games will take place between March 2025 and October 2026, followed by play-offs the following month. The finals are in in June 2027.
Wales have never reached a European Under-21 Championship finals.Jones' side missed out on a chance to qualify for the 2025 tournament, losing their final game to Czech Republic who went on to overhaul Wales for second place in the group and a place in the play-offs.The 2-1 defeat to the Czechs at Rodney Parade was hit by controversy, with Wales missing six players for the game – including senior international Rubin Colwill – because of a Football Association of Wales administrative error.Their games during the 2025 campaign also saw them draw 2-2 against the Danes in Vejle with two Colwill penalties. However, they lost the return 2-1 at Rodney Parade in Newport, with Cian Ashford scoring a late consolation.
Under-21 Euro 2027 qualifying group I
Seeding for draw in bracketsDenmark (1) Belgium (2)Austria (3)Wales (4)Belarus (5)

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