England take on Spain in the final of the 2023 European Under-21 Championship on Saturday at the Adjarabet Arena.
Lee Carsley’s Young Lions have been utterly sublime in Romania and Georgia, cruising through the groups before defeating Portugal and Israel in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively. Spain, likewise, have been formidable, taking down France and most recently putting Ukraine to the sword 5-1 to reach Saturday’s showpiece in Batumi.
Below you will find the latest Under-21 Euros outright odds for 2023.
The latest Under-21 Euros outright odds for 2023
Under-21 Euros fixtures | Final
*All times are UK time.
Saturday 8 July
- England U21 vs Spain U21 (5pm)
Who are the Under-21 Euros 2023 favourites?
England (6/5)
Lee Carsley’s Young Lions are stacked with talent, and the man in the dugout has been able to find the right formula to have them playing coherently and cohesively, something England managers have notoriously struggled with over the years. Curtis Jones, Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Gordon and Emile Smith Rowe have all proven utterly vital in this sensational run to the showpiece.
Further back, Levi Colwill shone for Brighton in 2022/23 and has been formidable at the back alongside Man City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis to keep five successive clean sheets en route to the final. Against a Spain side who just put five past Ukraine, that partnership will be key on Saturday.
James Garner’s versatility has proven crucial as well, with the midfielder moonlighting at right-back at times, while Angel Gomes has brought some creative spark to the centre of the pitch, and Cameron Archer some real firepower up front to bag twice.
Spain (13/10)
For many bookmakers, record holders Spain were one of the outright favourites going into the tournament — and with good reason. Santi Denia has one of the most promising No. 8s in the game right now with Celta’s Gabri Veiga. Only two U21 midfielders scored 10 or more league goals in a top-five European division across 2022/23, and Veiga was one of those. La Rojita also have Rodrigo Riquelme and Sergio Gomez to turn to — the latter scoring three times and providing two assists so far. Abel Ruiz is also one to keep an eye on, with the skipper bagging a joint tournament-high three goals alongside Man City’s Gomez.
The five most exciting players of the tournament so far
Heorhiy Sudakov
Watch out for Todd Boehly, Shakhtar Donetsk. Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has already urged the club to sign his compatriot this summer following his exploits in the Euros. When asked if he would like to see Sudakov at Chelsea following Ukrain’s win over France, Mudryk replied: “That would be great.”
The 20-year-old midfielder already has seven caps at senior level and is a stalwart in the heart of Shakhtar’s midfield, stifling Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Co last season as Shakhtar drew with Real Madrid in the Champions League groups. He translated that form to the Euros after netting thrice as Ukraine reached the semi-finals.
Zeki Amdouni
The 22-year-old was utterly formidable in 2022/23 season as Basel reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals, scoring 22 goals in all competitions. That form thrust him into the Switzerland national set-up, where he has bagged five goals in five senior caps, underlining his ferocity in the final third. He managed to shift that form over to the Euros — despite his nation’s quarter-final exit — where he notched twice, including against Spain and Italy, as well as assisting against France.
Curtis Jones
Apart from being rested in an inconsequential final group match against Germany, Curtis Jones has been Carsley’s main midfield inspiration. Liverpool’s deep-lying playmaker was presented with the man of the match award in England’s 3-0 semi-final win over Israel, reinforcing his influence in the middle of the pitch. His supreme passing vision, unerring composure on the ball and pitch-scanning intelligence are all emblematic of a Liverpool first-teamer, and England have benefited from those talents to reach the final.
Sergio Gomez
He was predominantly utilised as a left-back by Pep Guardiola on the occasions he made the pitch last term, but for Spain’s U21s, Gomez has been used on the wing, and he has flourished. The 22-year-old has notched three goals, including in the nation’s recent 5-1 semi-final win over Ukraine, as well as providing two assists — that’s five direct scoring contributions in just four games. He has been utterly devastating for La Rojita.
Abel Ruiz
Braga’s powerful forward has been just as influential as Gomez, scoring a tournament-high three goals alongside his compatriot, as well as captaining his nation to the final. A La Masia graduate, Ruiz has already been capped twice at senior level and has previously represented Barcelona in La Liga. The 23-year-old has pedigree, and it’s showing in this tournament.
Previous Under-21 Euros winners
| Year | Nation |
| 1978 | Yugoslavia |
| 1980 | Soviet Union |
| 1982 | England |
| 1984 | England |
| 1986 | Spain |
| 1988 | France |
| 1990 | Soviet Union |
| 1992 | Italy |
| 1994 | Italy |
| 1996 | Italy |
| 1998 | Spain |
| 2000 | Italy |
| 2002 | Czech Republic |
| 2004 | Italy |
| 2006 | Netherlands |
| 2007 | Netherlands |
| 2009 | Germany |
| 2011 | Spain |
| 2013 | Spain |
| 2015 | Sweden |
| 2017 | Germany |
| 2019 | Spain |
| 2021 | Germany |