Away from the furore of Leeds United’s work in the transfer window, the U21 European Championships are hotting up as teams qualify for the quarter-finals after the group stages.
Charlie Cresswell and Archie Gray will have to beat Germany on Wednesday night if they are to top their group at the U21 Euros, currently held in Slovakia. Willy Gnonto and Mateo Joseph are also in action.
Joseph scored in Spain’s first game, a 3-2 win over Slovakia. But he missed a penalty in the second game against Romania, relying on his teammates to come from behind and beat 10-man Romania late on.
Gnonto got an assist for Italy in their first game, a 1-0 win over Romania, who had a penalty saved. Italy also won their second game 1-0 against Slovakia and on Tuesday, Joseph and Gnonto then did battle.
Joseph doesn’t play but still has the last laugh over Gnonto
Having started Spain’s first two games but enduring different fortunes on a personal level, Joseph was left out of his side’s starting XI on Tuesday night to take on Italy. The two sides battled it out for top spot.
Indeed, Joseph actually didn’t play at all, remaining an unused sub and perhaps, being rested ahead of the quarter-finals. Gnonto was also taken out of the firing line by Italy’s U21 side, who needed to win.
Spain’s goals scored meant Italy had to beat Joseph’s men to finish top, but the two sides played out a 1-1 draw with Gnonto unable to turn the tide even after coming on in the 74th minute on Tuesday night.
Group A:
| Position | Games played | Wins | Draws | Losses | GD | GS/GA | Points |
| 1. Spain | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 6/4 | 7 |
| 2. Italy | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 3/1 | 7 |
| 3. Slovakia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 4/5 | 3 |
| 4. Romania | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 2/5 | 0 |
Who will Gnonto and Joseph now face in the quarter-finals?
Given there are only four groups of four teams, the top two of each group immediately go into the final eight. Interestingly, either Joseph or Gnonto will now face England in the last eight, depending on results.
If England manage to beat Germany, it will see Gnonto take on Gray and Cresswell as Group A runners-up Italy face Group B’s winners. Currently, that will see Gnonto and Italy take on Germany who sit in first.
If Germany avoid defeat against England tonight, then it will be Joseph’s Spain going up against England. Spain will take on either Germany or England on Saturday, before Italy’s quarter-final is on Sunday.
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