Spain has received a daunting draw in the group stage of the Under-19 European Championship, set to take place from June 28 to July 11. La Rojita will compete against tournament hosts Wales, Denmark, and Germany in a first round where the top two finishers advance to the semifinals. There, they will face the top two teams from the other group, which includes Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Italy.
In addition to chasing the continental title, Spain is also vying for a spot in the 2027 U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, reserved for the four semifinalists.
Spain enters as one of the heavy favorites, aiming for its 13th U19 European crown. Last year, the team reached the final but fell 1-0 to the Netherlands. Two years ago, the 2005 generation claimed the title with standout players such as Iker Bravo, Jesús Rodríguez, and Jacobo Ramón.
This time, the squad is made up of players born on or after January 1, 2007, a group long dubbed the “golden generation” of Spain’s youth ranks. It includes players already established at the elite level, like Lamine Yamal and Cubarsí, who are regulars with the senior team. Although head coach Paco Gallardo cannot call upon those two Barcelona stars, he can count on other promising talents such as Real Madrid’s Fortea and Yáñez, Barcelona’s Xavi Espart, and Athletic Club’s Selton Sued. Additionally, Gallardo has integrated key players born a year earlier, including Thiago Pitarch—the star of Spain’s elite round—and Betis winger José Antonio Morante, son of the famed bullfighter of the same surname.
With this group, Spain secured its place at the European Championship after an impressive elite round, thrashing Slovenia 4-0, Finland 4-0, and the defending champion Netherlands 3-0.
