The Spanish Under-19 national football team has stormed into the semi-finals of the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship after a flawless group stage performance. "La Rojita" will face a resilient German side on Monday, June 23, 2025, in a highly anticipated clash for a place in the final.
Under the guidance of new head coach Paco Gallardo, who took the helm in February 2024, Spain has displayed formidable form throughout the tournament. They secured a maximum of nine points from their three group games, showcasing both defensive solidity and attacking prowess. Their campaign began with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Denmark, followed by a convincing 3-1 win against the host nation, Romania.
In their final group match, with a semi-final spot already secured, Gallardo had the luxury of rotating his squad. The move paid dividends, highlighting the depth of talent at his disposal as a changed side delivered a stunning 5-0 demolition of Montenegro.
A standout player in the group stage has been midfielder Quim Junyent, who netted a sensational hat-trick against Montenegro, making a strong case for a starting position in the crucial semi-final. The squad, which features a significant contingent of six players from FC Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, has been marshalled superbly by captain Raúl Jiménez.
Their semi-final opponents, Germany, endured a more turbulent path to the knockout stages. After a heavy defeat to the Netherlands and a dramatic draw with England, the Germans secured their place with a late comeback victory against Norway.
As the defending champions, Spain carries the weight of expectation but appears unfazed, with their sights firmly set on a record-extending tenth UEFA U19 European Championship title. The winner of the Spain-Germany encounter will face either the Netherlands or hosts Romania in the final on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Rapid-Giulești Stadium in Bucharest.
