2023-06-28 20:52:00
In a crazy, heart-stopping final, Switzerland secured the last place in the quarter-finals at the U21 European Championship despite a clear defeat.
Despite a 1:4 (1:1) defeat on the last matchday of Group D, Switzerland still secured a place in the quarter-finals of the U21 European Championship. In the parallel game, Norway’s 1-0 (0-0) win over Italy was just one goal short of both teams moving up to second place.
Behind the sovereign group winner France (9 points), a three-way comparison between Switzerland, Italy and Norway had to bring the decision on Wednesday (June 27th, 2023). Both had three points, but Switzerland had the best goal difference in this constellation.*
The Confederates did not cover themselves in glory once morest France. Dan Ndoye (35′) made up for the 1-0 deficit through Amine Gouiri (16′) in the first half. But Bradley Barcola (65th), Rayan Cherki (76th) and Maxence Caqueret (81st) scored the clear victory for France in the second half.
Norway and Italy are only missing a goal
The tournament ended bitterly for Norway and Italy. The Norwegians celebrated their first tournament victory with a goal from Erik Botheim (65th). But they would have needed one more goal to get into the knockout stages. Italy, on the other hand, would have been enough to get through.
Great euphoria in Georgia
Already on Tuesday, co-hosts Georgia had surprisingly reached the quarter-finals of a U21 European Championship for the first time. Opponent Netherlands had aluminum bad luck and is out. Spain wins Group B, Ukraine and Portugal are also in the quarterfinals.
A 1-1 (1-1) draw once morest the Netherlands in front of 43,004 spectators in Tbilisi was enough for Georgia to win the group with five points. Georgia meets Israel on Saturday. Georgia took the lead following a nice solo by Zuriko Davitashvili (42nd minute). After Kenneth Taylor equalized (45+6), the Dutch pushed for the winning goal, but it didn’t want to come.
Late penalty helps Portugal
Portugal secured second place and thus also the ticket for the knockout round with a 2:1 (0:0) once morest Belgium. Former Bayern professional Tiago Dantas only scored the winning goal in the 89th minute. The Portuguese are now up once morest England, with Belgium and the Netherlands eliminated.
The Portuguese, who were under pressure to win, took the lead through Joao Neves (56th) before Belgium might dream of the quarter-finals thanks to the equalizer from Yorbe Vertessen (65th). Dantas then converted a penalty kick shortly before the end.
Equalization just before the end – Spain is group winner
In Group B, Spain saved the group victory with a 2:2 (0:1) once morest Ukraine, who were tied on points. With his equalizer in the 90th minute, Abel Ruiz averted a looming duel with France in the quarter-finals. Instead, Switzerland is now waiting.
Bogdan Viunnyk put Ukraine ahead (43′) before Ivan Zhelizko scored an own goal (49′). In the closing stages, Ukraine were ahead once more following Georgiy Sudakov (82′) scored. But then came Ruiz, and first in the group wasn’t Ukraine, it was Spain.
The quarterfinals at a glance:
Georgia – Israel
Spain – Switzerland
England – Portugal
France – Ukraine
* Editor’s note: Unfortunately, the direct comparison between three teams might not yet be taken into account in our results area (as of June 27th, 2023, 11 p.m.).
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