UEFA European Under-21 Championship: Five players who impressed in the group stage
Over the past 25 years, players including Andrea Pirlo, Petr Cech, Klaas Jan-Huntelaar, Juan Mata, Thiago and Fabian Ruiz have won player of the tournament. Anthony Gordon was the player of the tournament in the 2023 edition as England were crowned champions, but that victory also provided momentum for a certain Cole Palmer, who was then at Manchester City.
This year's tournament is taking place in Slovakia and The Athletic has taken a look at five players who stood out in the group stage.
The youngest player at the tournament, the 17-year-old has already signed for Chelsea from Sporting CP. He will spend the 2025-26 season at Chelsea and staff from the Premier League side have been in Slovakia to watch his progress.
Quenda ended the group stages with three goals and two assists, showing a variety that would serve him well in any league.
A left-footed winger, who broke into Sporting's first team as a wing-back, two of Quenda's three goals were scored with his right foot. The power on one of these finishes against Poland was particularly impressive after he faked a shot with his left foot, while his quick finish against Georgia showed his technique in tight spaces.
Geovany Quenda magic 🪄🇵🇹#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/mZXOWOrimb
— UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 14, 2025
That willingness to use his weaker foot has also been evident, even when he doesn't score.
His assists have demonstrated a rare maturity. Rather than engaging defenders with dribbling, Quenda has both threaded and clipped passes in behind from deeper/wider areas for onrushing team-mates to finish.
The forward has had multiple senior Portugal call-ups already, but he joined the under-21s for this tournament with the aim of becoming the nation's first Under-21 Euro winners. At 17, he helped Sporting win the league and cup double and understands that team honours are necessary to fulfil the expectations already being made of him.
As well as being able to play off both flanks, last season he also made a few appearances as a No 10 for Sporting, but for Portugal he has always operated out wide.
One of the older players at the tournament at 23, Woltemade has impressed.
The Stuttgart forward, who has interest from multiple London-based Premier League clubs, hit a hat-trick against Slovenia, then added another goal and two assists against the Czech Republic. He was not risked in the final group game against England as head coach Antonio Di Salvo said he was feeling the effects of a knock, but Germany made 11 changes to their line-up anyway.
Standing at 6ft 6in (198cm), Woltemade's game is not solely about height. One of his four group stage goals was a header, but his first two came from his more detached role as a second striker. Stuttgart benefited from that heavily last season, with the forward scoring 17 goals in all competitions, as he can often ghost into dangerous areas unmarked, despite his height.
Nick Woltemade last time out ⚽️⚽️⚽️#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/Dckhz1rJkB
— UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 15, 2025
He has also displayed his technical ability in Slovakia, especially in the 4-2 win against the Czech Republic. Receiving the ball in deeper areas, he dribbled through bodies and spread play equally well. Importantly, he appears to be in control of most of the situations he finds himself in, which also leads to more skilful touches to create chances for team-mates.
Made by Woltemade, finished by Nebel 🇩🇪#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/m0Ttuv3iPN
— UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 16, 2025
Even so, he still has to deliver in front of goal himself, and that is what he has done. Interestingly, Woltemade featured for Germany's senior team in their Nations League fixtures against Portugal and France earlier this month. That was down to manager Julian Nagelsmann, who wanted to reward Woltemade for his performances last season and to pit him against seasoned European defenders.
He performed better against France in a deeper role, which should give those scouting him plenty of encouragement ahead of next season.
While he may not have any goals or assists to his name so far, Nottingham Forest's Anderson has been England's standout player in the group stages.
The 22-year-old was booked 15 seconds into the opening group game against the Czech Republic, but responded with an exemplary display of defensive discipline and control in possession.
Used as one of Lee Carsley's deepest midfielders in a 4-2-2-2, the onus was on him to dictate play, and he delivered. Anderson was always available to receive the ball and play forward, while being quick across the ground to stop attackers and vocal to organise those around him.
Carsley reacted by saying that Anderson was playing 'like a senior pro' and that continued into the following games. England didn't score against Slovenia, but he was the source of their best chances, with passes pinged, curled and threaded in behind the back line. The communication that is a natural part of his game also continued, with his instructions to team-mates resulting in turnovers multiple times.
Advertisement
Anderson had represented Scotland at under-16, 17 and 21 levels but has now decided that England are his international focus. On being tasked with starting attacks from deeper areas than he does at Forest, he said: 'The manager wants me to take control of games. We've got some fantastic attackers and if we've got control, they will get a lot more chances.
'Trying to split defences is a big part of my game. It's something we might lack in football now. That's what I am trying to do, create attacks and try to catch the eye. I love watching Kevin De Bruyne. He creates things and is so good to watch. I try to get fans off their seats and will do everything for the team. I work hard all game and fight for the team.'
Like others in the squad, a place in the England seniors is the aim for Anderson. To that end, Carsley pinned up a photo of the World Cup to inspire his young players ahead of this summer's tournament.
Denmark were surprising pace-setters in the group stage and Osula was key to that, with three goals and two assists. The Newcastle United forward scored and assisted after being introduced from the bench in the opening match, scored a brace in the second and then assisted again in the third.
He was particularly impressive in his only start of the tournament so far — the second game against the Netherlands. Trailing 1-0 to an own goal, he showed good instincts and positioning to head in the equaliser inside the six-yard box, and scored the winner with a strong finish across goal in the second half. As the game went on, his defensive contributions were also vital to Denmark holding onto their lead.
Two more goals for William Osula 🇩🇰#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/BXg9zuVTAS
— UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 16, 2025
Attaining confidence at this tournament was key for Osula. The striker joined Newcastle from Sheffield United for an initial £10milllion last summer but completed just two full matches across his 19 appearances in all competitions.
The Athletic have reported that Osula's potential is recognised by the Newcastle coaching staff, but considering his level of involvement last season and with a contract that runs until 2029, he may not be a priority in Eddie Howe's squad right now.
So the 21-year-old's performances in Slovakia could help showcase him as a worthwhile loanee for the 2025-26 season.
Meanwhile, team-mate Conrad Harder, of Sporting CP, shone in Denmark's final group game with clinical finishes off both feet. His second was created by Osula, who had drifted out to the right before finding him with a ball inside.
Conrad Harder double 🔥🇩🇰#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/Hy6PbvS57i
— UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 19, 2025
Not as regular a starter as Viktor Gyokeres, the 20-year-old nevertheless scored 13 goals in all competitions for Sporting last year.
Agoume impressed in a deep midfield role for France. One of the more experienced players at the tournament, aged 23, he has just finished his first full season with Sevilla in La Liga.
The midfielder was willing to show for the ball when necessary and brave enough to play forward when he had it, showing nice disguise on some of his passes. He assisted France's equaliser in their late 3-2 comeback win over Georgia with a left-footed reverse pass from just outside the box, showing great vision.
He captained the side in their final group game, a 4-1 win against Poland, as they secured a place in the quarter-finals against Denmark. Agoume has shielded his backline well and was largely proactive in his challenges rather than reactive.
His midfield partner, Djaoui Cisse of Rennes, also impressed against Denmark with two exceptional goals. One was curled into the top corner with his right foot and the other was driven in low with his left.
Djaoui Cisse's sublime strike 😮💨
Goal of the Round contender ✅#U21GOTT | @AlipayPlus pic.twitter.com/qPVvkQxida
— UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 17, 2025
Cisse is 21 and broke into the Rennes first team at the back end of last season, making 16 Ligue 1 appearances.
Of the nations represented here, only France and Denmark face each other in this weekend's quarter-finals.
Quenda's Portugal kick off proceedings on Saturday against the Netherlands, which will be followed by Spain against England. Denmark against France is the first game on Sunday and will be followed by Germany against Italy.
(Top photos: Getty Images)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Boro bring in Dutch forward Hansen from NEC
Middlesbrough have signed forward Sontje Hansen on a four-year contract from Dutch club NEC Nijmegen. Hansen has scored 12 goals in 64 games for the Eredivisie side after starting off in the Ajax academy. The 23-year-old has represented the Netherlands in all age-group levels up to under-21 and he was the leading scorer at the 2019 Under-17 World Cup. Hansen is the fourth signing of the summer for Boro, to go along with defenders Alfie Jones and Callum Brittain and midfielder Abdoulaye Kante. Rob Edwards' side won their opening Championship game of the season against Swansea City, but were thrashed 4-0 by League One Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup. Transfers - August 2025
New York Times
26 minutes ago
- New York Times
Blackhawks draft pick Václav Nestrašil brings his family's hockey story full circle
Václav Nestrašil Sr. had had enough of hockey. Three of his sons found some success in the sport growing up in Czechia, but he thought playing hockey had brought them all more sorrow than happiness. So, when Václav Sr.'s second wife, Lucie Nestrašilová, was due with their first child, he sought something different. Advertisement 'I told my wife, I don't want another hockey player,' Václav Sr. said. 'Please, I want a girl.' They had a boy. 'I told my wife, OK, I want a musician, please, to play music, for example, or draw pictures. No hockey,' Václav Sr. said. Not to be. Their son Václav showed no interest in music or drawing. Like his brothers many years before him, Václav had his sights set solely on hockey. 'No chance, no chance,' Václav Sr. said. 'When Václav was 1 year old, he took, (for the) first time, hockey stick, took goalie net, (and said) 'Dad, we will play hockey, come with me, please.' It stopped my dream for a pianist because he loved hockey since the first day, first year. And it was no chance for me, I had to come back to hockey stadium with him, and he was so happy at hockey stadium. He was so happy that I thought, OK, I will start another hockey way again because you are happy here.' Václav Sr. promised to support his son, but he asked Václav to play hockey only if that's what he really wanted — not something he did for his father. The younger Václav agreed. A little more than 18 years after learning he would be having another son, Václav Sr. watched the 2025 NHL Draft during the middle of the night in Czechia with his youngest son and learned Václav had been selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the 25th pick. 'It was 5:30 in the morning when Václav was drafted in the first round, and my husband didn't sleep all night because he watched it all day on this draft day,' Lucie said. 'He said, I never will sleep because when I go to sleep and I will wake up, I'm afraid it was only a dream. So he didn't sleep two days after the draft.' The experience was much different the first time one of Václav Sr.'s sons was drafted by an NHL team. His son Andrej Nestrašil left home at 17 to play hockey in the QMJHL. Andrej played well for the Victoriaville Tigres and produced 22 goals and 35 assists in 66 games during his draft year. Andrej was hopeful to be taken in the 2009 NHL Draft, but unbeknownst to him, his agent had already told his father that it wasn't likely based on how Andrej fared in the testing at the CHL top prospects game that year. Advertisement 'The first date that we got there was skating testing, so all these like lasers on the ice and you gotta do pivots and sprints and stuff like that,' Andrej said. 'And I didn't know it at the time, but I think that day my agent called my dad, and he goes, oh, we're screwed. He's never gonna get drafted because he was dead last. But my dad told him on the phone, he said, 'Well, did you tell him that?' And he goes, 'No.' And he said, 'Never, ever tell him that.' So I didn't really know until years later.' His agent was wrong, too. The Detroit Red Wings drafted Andrej in the third round with the 75th pick. That time, Václav Sr. learned of Andrej's selection by reading the draft results on a computer. Still, it was a proud moment. 'Andrej was drafted as the first Czech hockey player in his year, and it was huge success for us to be first in the Czech Republic,' Václav Sr. said. 'It was a bad year for Czech hockey because only three players were drafted in this year, and Andrej was first. Yes, we were really happy, and I texted messages to all my friends: 'You must buy a newspaper' because it was a huge article with Andrej.' A post shared by Andrej Nestrasil (@anesty11) Andrej's first two pro seasons were rocky. He bounced between the Red Wings' ECHL and AHL affiliates. At that point, he didn't seem to have much of an NHL future. Then, after his second season, he had a conversation with Grand Rapids AHL coach Jeff Blashill, coincidentally now the Blackhawks coach, that changed his career. He asked Blashill what he could do to be in the lineup more consistently the next season. 'I remember him looking at me, he goes, 'I saw you without a T-shirt the other day, and I think if you can lose 20 pounds, you can be the center of the fourth line next year,'' Andrej said. 'He was really straight up with me, and I really appreciated his honesty and fairness. And I said, OK, well, if that's what it takes. And I came back three months later, and I was 20 pounds lighter. And, you know, he held up his — he was true to his word. And I started playing at fourth-line center, and slowly throughout that year, with some luck and opportunity, I kept moving throughout the lineup and ended up having a year that pretty much was career-altering for me because I was either going home and play somewhere (in Czechia) or be done.' Advertisement After playing all of the 2013-14 season under Blashill in the AHL, Andrej made the Red Wings out of training camp the next season. His father traveled to Detroit to see Andrej make his NHL debut in the Red Wings' season opener against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 9, 2014. Because it was the season opener, every player skated under a spotlight and had his name announced to the Red Wings' fans. 'It was really funny because if on the ice there was, for example, I don't know, some very good player who everyone knows, huge applause,' Václav Sr. said. 'And when Andrej was ready to go on the ice, 'And now, number 49, Andrej Nestrašil.' And everyone (was like), who? No applause. Who? Who? Only me, I stand and applaud. But it was really, really nice.' Andrej played 128 games for the Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes over the next three seasons. He then played four seasons in the KHL before returning home to play in Czechia. Andrej, who is now 34, is about to enter his fifth season playing for HC Oceláři Třinec. On the day Václav was drafted by the Blackhawks, he and his older brother Andrej talked by phone. With three young children, Andrej decided it was best for his mental and physical health not to stay up all night to watch the draft. 'He called me a few hours later, just said congrats and he was really happy for me,' Václav said. 'I know that, and I kind of gave him (a jab) that I was drafted higher than him because that's how our family works. So, yeah, it was a good call.' Andrej knew the jab was coming. 'I think that's where he set his goal, and he always said, I just want to be drafted higher than you,' Andrej said. 'I told him, I said, don't set your goals that low. I was only a third-rounder, so don't let that bite you. I think you want to go as high as possible. You don't want to be satisfied with 74th just because you beat your older brother. But that's how we kind of show love in our family. We kind of make fun of each other. We don't really speak about our feelings that well, so it's mostly jokes and you making fun of the other guys. Now it's a little on my plate that he's been drafted higher than me, but, you know, I still have more games than him in the NHL so far, so I'm gonna hold onto that.' Advertisement Václav is separated by as many as 18 years from his brothers, but he had a good relationship with all four of them growing up. And even though there was such a large age difference, Václav's competitive drive was just as strong as his brothers'. Whether it was playing hockey or board games, Václav wanted to win desperately. 'Everybody, it's horrible,' Lucie said. 'They laugh together, but when you have chocolate, they will come fight about the chocolate. It's horrible.' Václav Sr. said, 'For Václav, the brothers are a huge motivation to be a successful hockey player. Because to be number one between the brothers, that's maybe more than the NHL.' Václav did have to go through the family tradition of being the goalie as the youngest. 'It's just how it goes,' Andrej said. 'I've played a goalie and my other brother played a goalie, and then (Václav) was born, so he had to be the goalie.' He has been a member of the Blackhawks since childhood 😆😆😆 — Vaclav Nestrasil sr. (@nestrasilova) July 8, 2025 Václav was the biggest fan of Andrej, who is 16 years older, and closely followed his brother's NHL career. When Andrej was playing for the Hurricanes, Václav traveled from Czechia for a game and was able to get on the ice with the Hurricanes after a practice. Václav wanted to follow every step of Andrej's development. He dreamed of playing in the CHL, just as his brother did. But when it came to a junior route, Andre recommended the USHL-NCAA path to Václav, who listened to his brother. He played for the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks, who won the Clark Cup last season, and will play at the University of Massachusetts as a freshman in the fall. Because Andrej had been through his own pro career and had connections throughout hockey, Václav and his parents have always valued Andrej's opinion. When doctors discovered Václav, who is 6 feet 6 inches, was growing too fast in his early teenage years and thought he might have to give up hockey, Andrej helped. Advertisement 'When Václav had a huge problem with his health, we found a lot of professional people, doctors, physiotherapists, mental coaches, nutrition,' Václav Sr. said. 'Andrej showed us how to be a professional player, and it was very, very important for Václav.' Andrej tried to pass on what he learned, but he's the first to say Václav did everything from there. 'That's why I say that I don't want any credit for his success because giving someone advice is one thing, but like the stuff that he has done and how mentally strong he was in these tough moments,' Andrej said. 'And not just when he was injured, but like, then you go for the national team for the first time and maybe it's gonna be your last time, and the opportunity presents itself and you gotta capitalize on it. And every important moment where he needed to take advantage of that moment, he did. He did that big-time every single time.' Andrej thinks Václav still has a lot of developing to do, but he's hopeful his younger brother will surpass his NHL game total. 'We're going to keep pushing him to make sure he's not satisfied with where he's at now,' Andrej said. 'And obviously as long as he will want to, we will try to get the best out of him and always be there to support him and help him. But I really think he's got it in him and I think his potential is huge.' (Top photo from the NHL combine: Chase Agnello-Dean / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
New York Times
26 minutes ago
- New York Times
Broncos' Kris Abrams-Draine was thrown into the fire as a rookie. It's paying off now.
Carter Bradley was sure there was enough space. When the San Francisco 49ers quarterback spotted his target, Jordan Watkins, on a third-and-11 play in the second quarter of Saturday's preseason game against the Denver Broncos, there seemed to be plenty of room to fit a spiral into the receiver and pick up a first down. Advertisement What Bradley quickly realized, though, was that the space Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine allowed Watkins was a ploy. The second-year defensive back had charted his route to the ball as he backpedaled and then lurched forward to deflect it away just before it hit Watkins' hands. Abrams-Draine has practiced similar scenarios all offseason, baiting receivers into the comforting feeling of open space, only to erase it in a blink. 'That's what I worked on the most this offseason was off coverage,' Abrams-Draine said. 'In college, I played a lot of press. Off coverage, being able to break on the ball and break on receivers, is what I really wanted to work on. It's kind of just trusting myself and trusting my speed, not trying to backpedal too fast. Just read the tempo of the receiver.' It was a familiar scene for anyone who has watched Abrams-Draine take a major leap in his second NFL training camp. Taking cues from how the receiver is getting off the ball is one way Abrams-Draine has improved his read 'of tendencies of the offensive concepts,' teammate Pat Surtain II said. It is a far cry from where Abrams-Draine was during his early days in the league. Broncos coach Sean Payton last season said that Abrams-Draine, a fifth-round pick out of Missouri in 2024, had the most ground to make up of any of the team's draft picks following OTAs last year. As he gazed over the practice field following Tuesday's practice, the defensive back had a message he'd deliver to the rookie version of himself if he had access to a time machine: This is the game you love, the one you've played since you were 4 years old, growing up in Alabama. Don't overcomplicate it. 'Go out there and just play confident so you can play fast,' he said. ' … It wasn't so much (struggling with the playbook). It was really about getting the terminology down. It's kind of like what I played in college, but it's different names. I didn't want to say the wrong name (of a play) and have it mean something else. … But at the end of the day, it's football.' Advertisement Abrams-Draine closed the gap by the end of last season. He was a healthy scratch during Denver's first 12 games of the season. Then, he was thrust into high-leverage action as Riley Moss dealt with a knee injury and veteran Levi Wallace struggled as a replacement before subsequently being released. Abrams-Draine intercepted Justin Herbert in a nationally televised Week 16 game in Los Angeles — only the third pick thrown by the Chargers quarterback all season — and ultimately got 123 defensive snaps of experience. A relatively small sample, sure, but Payton said it's easy to see how those reps, which came in the heat of Denver's playoff chase, helped launch the young cornerback into a sharper offseason. The rookie Kris Abrams-Draine picks off Herbert in the end zone!#DENvsLAC on Prime VideoAlso streaming on #NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) December 20, 2024 'The tail end of last year, his play and his confidence, you have a stretch of, like, four weeks where, all of a sudden, that can carry over into the next year,' Payton said. 'He's someone who prefers to play off, keep the ball in front and break on the ball. I like his ball skills, and I like between the ears. He's very smart.' Abrams-Draine has epitomized in this camp the depth the Broncos have built defensively this offseason. He is currently slated behind Moss and Surtain at outside corner, but he has looked in camp like a player more than capable of holding up in a starting role. The same is true at nearly every level of the defense. Justin Strnad started nine games for the Broncos last season, including the playoff matchup with the Buffalo Bills, and is now a trusted reserve behind Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw. The Broncos brought in Talanoa Hufanga to pair with Brandon Jones, turning P.J. Locke, who has started 23 games for the team across the past two seasons, into something of a super sub in the back end. Ja'Quan McMillian, who ended Tuesday's practice with an interception of Bo Nix, has given the Broncos strong play at the nickel position the past two years as a starter, and now he's sharing work at that position with first-round pick Jahdae Barron. Promising rookies Sai'vion Jones and Que Robinson, both of whom had splash plays in their preseason debut Saturday, have provided an influx of talent to an already stacked defensive front. 'We're definitely deeper,' Payton said Tuesday. 'You guys have all written about tough (roster) decisions. … Those are all indications that there is a little bit more depth than in years past. Generally speaking, that creates that higher level of performance, that competition, and then it becomes, 'How do we keep trying to give these guys opportunities where it gives us more exposure?'' Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has delivered a clear message to his unit since the start of camp: Everyone will be needed at some point. Abrams-Draine lived that truth last year when he was shoved into the mix late in the season. So even as he's making clear steps forward in his second NFL season, he isn't letting himself get caught up in when his next opportunity will come. Advertisement 'It's just (about) the standard here now,' Abrams-Draine said. 'Like VJ always says, 'If someone goes out, we have to keep the same standard for everybody.' I feel like we built up a culture this spring with the new guys and everybody is just on the same page, from the D-line to the safeties. We've just all got to communicate and we'll be good. There can be no drop-off. We just have to uphold that standard we have for ourselves.' • Singleton participated in 11-on-11 work Tuesday for the first time since suffering a broken thumb late last month. Greenlaw, who is working his way back from a quad injury, participated in portions of practice but was not on the field during full-team periods. • Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto did not practice Tuesday while dealing with a minor foot injury that nagged him in Saturday's game. Payton said Bonitto is 'fine' and should return to practice on Wednesday. • Second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele had arguably his best practice of camp Tuesday. Among the highlights: an acrobatic, leaping catch in traffic along the sideline on a deep ball from Jarrett Stidham. Payton said Vele has dealt with a knee injury in camp, but he is pleased with the receiver's progress. 'It's a little easier to maintain in-season than when you're just stacking (practices) day after day in training camp,' Payton said of working Vele into the mix. 'We'll continue to find his spots. He's a big target on third down and in the red zone.' • Just before hitting Vele on the sideline, Stidham hit Troy Franklin for a 50-yard touchdown during 7-on-7 work. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
