Spain U-21

Number of appearances in the final tournaments of the European Championship (U-21) — 13. Five-time champion and record holder (1986, 1998, 2011, 2013, 2019).

Squad

Goalkeepers: Arnau Tenas («Barcelona»), Julen Agirrezabala («Athletic»), Leo Roman («Majorca»).

Defenders: Victor Gomez («Braga», Portugal), Mario Gilia («Lazio», Italy), Arnau Martinez («Girona»), Juan Miranda («Betis»), Hugo Guillamon («Valencia»), Aitor Perez («Athletic»), Jon Pacheco («Real Sociedad»), Manu Sanchez («Osasuna»).

Midfielders: Adrian Bernabe («Parma», Italy), Antonio Blanco («Alaves»), Gabriel Veiga («Celta»), Alejandro Baena («Villarreal»), Aimar Oros («Osasuna»), Oyan Sances («Athletic»).

Forwards: Sergio Gomez («Manchester City», England), Abel Ruiz («Braga», Portugal), Sergio Camello («Rayo Vallecano»), Rodrigo Sanchez («Betis»), Rodrigo Riquelme («Girona»), Ander Barrenetxea («Real Sociedad»).

The participation of injured defender Manu Sanchez from «Osasuna» is in doubt.

Head Coach

Spain's youth team is coached by local specialist Santy Denia. The 49-year-old coach took charge of the team on December 12, 2022. Under his leadership, the team has played seven matches, winning four and drawing three.

Previously, Denia worked as an assistant to the head coach of Madrid's «Atletico» and was a coach for Spain's youth teams (U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, U-20). He won Euro 2019 (U-19).

The main tactical formation that Santy Denia favors is 4—2—3—1.

«My 23 players could be in the starting lineup of any club in the world. However, we need to focus on Ukraine's performance at this tournament. We must play a perfect match to reach the Euro final», — Santy Denia said in an interview with the official website of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

Leader

Currently, the leader of Spain's U-21 team is forward Abel Ruiz from Portuguese «Braga». For the Spanish youth team, 23-year-old Ruiz has played in 25 matches and scored 12 goals.

In the ranks of «Braga», forward Ruiz has made 87 appearances with 13 goals. He is a winner of the Portuguese Cup (2020/2021). Before that, he defended the colors of «Barcelona», with whom he became Spanish champion (2018/2019). Winner of Euro 2019 (U-19). Main position — center forward, additional positions are left or right winger. Preferred foot is right.

Abel Ruiz's transfer value is estimated at 10 million euros.

Path to the Euro-2023 (U-21) semifinals

The Spanish team advanced to the Euro-2023 (U-21) semifinals by winning their group in Group B and defeating Switzerland in the quarterfinals. On their way to the 1/2 final, the team won three matches and drew one.

June 21, 2023. Romania — Spain — 0:3

June 24, 2023. Spain — Croatia — 1:0

June 27, 2023. Spain — Ukraine — 2:2

July 1, 2023. Spain — Switzerland — 2:1 (aet)

The match between the youth teams of Spain and Ukraine at Euro-2023 (U-21) will take place on July 5 in Bucharest (kickoff at 22.00 Kyiv time).