UEFA European Under-21 Championship: Five players who impressed in the group stage
The Under-21 European Championship invariably showcases Europe's best up-and-coming talent.
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.
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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)
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