Cymru to host #U19EURO Elite Round
International
3 December 2019

Cymru to host #U19EURO Elite Round

Cymru have discovered their opponents for three #U19EURO mini-tournaments taking place in 2020. The draws for the UEFA #U19EURO championship 2019/20 elite round, 2020/21 qualifying round and 2020-22 Nations League took place at UEFA HQ today (3 December).

#U19EURO Elite Round

Matches to be held in March 2020

Austria

Germany

Serbia

For the 2019/20 elite round, Cymru were drawn into group 1 alongside Austria, Germany and Serbia. It was decided that the tournament would be hosted in Wales with matches held on 25-31 March (venues TBC). Rob Edwards’ side qualified for the elite round after topping their qualifying round group, after wins against Poland and Kosovo and a draw against top Russia. The seven elite round group winners will join hosts Northern Ireland in the finals from 19 July to 1 August 2020.

Cymru will then host the 2020/2021 qualifying round group 10 where they will face England, Slovenia and Malta. Matches will take place 11-17 November, venue TBC. The top two in each group and the third-placed team with the best record against the leading pair in their section join top seeds Portugal in the elite round in spring 2021, which will produce Romania's seven finals opponents.

The third draw sees Cymru involved in a new UEFA #U19EURO championship structure. Launching next year, the tournament will incorporate UEFA Nations League-style groups in a two-season cycle. For the first round, Cymru have been drawn in league B1 and will face Georgia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and the hosts Bulgaria. Matches will take place 7-13 October.

A full explainer from UEFA regarding the new championship format can be found here.

It’ll be great for the players. We’re up against tough opponents but we’ll prepare well. It’s a talented age group coming through and this experience will help their development even further. It’s always a great honour to represent your nation but playing at home and hearing that anthem and the crowd we had for the qualifying round really did add to it. Hopefully it’ll be the same in March.

– Rob Edwards