The 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, which spanned two years (1994–96), had 44 entrants. After the quarter-finals stage, Spain were chosen as the hosts of the final stages, consisting of four matches in total. Italy U-21s won the competition for the third consecutive time.

Format

No fewer than 13 newly independent nations competed for the first time – due mainly to the fall of Socialist rule in Europe in the early 1990s.

Russia, who competed in 1994 were joined by nine further former Soviet Union states: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and Ukraine.

The exclusion (for political reasons) of the team from Serbia and Montenegro, then known as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia continued. Croatia, Slovenia and the Republic of Macedonia were three former states of Yugoslavia who did compete though.

Czechoslovakia became two separate nations – teams from the Czech Republic and Slovakia complete the list of new entrants.

The 44 national teams were divided into eight groups (four groups of 5 + four groups of 6). The group winners played off against each other on a two-legged home-and-away basis to determine the final four, one of whom would host the last four matches. The top five nations qualify for the Atlanta '96 Olympics.

Qualification

List of qualified teams

CountryQualified asPrevious appearances in tournament1
FranceGroup 1 winner5 (1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1994)
SpainGroup 2 winner5 (1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990)
HungaryGroup 3 winner3 (1978, 1980, 1986)
ItalyGroup 4 winner9 (1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994)
Czech RepublicGroup 5 winner6 (19782, 19802, 19882, 19902, 19922, 19942)
PortugalGroup 6 winner1 (1994)
GermanyGroup 7 winner3 (19823, 19903, 1992)
ScotlandGroup 8 winner4 (1980, 1982, 1984, 1988)

1 Bold indicates champion for that year

2 As Czechoslovakia

3 As West Germany

Squads

Results

Quarter-finals

First leg

Hungary2–1Scotland
Szanyó 14' Zavadszky 79'Glass 34'
Germany0–0France
Portugal1–0Italy
Porfírio 18'
Spain2–1Czech Republic
Dani 28' Roberto 41'Šmicer 50'

Second leg

Scotland3–1Hungary
Dailly 42' Hamilton 84' Donnelly 86'Egressy 30'
France4–1Germany
Pires 28', 32' Maurice 41', 70'Nerlinger 76' (pen.)
Italy2–0Portugal
Vieri 41' Peixe 55' (o.g.)
Czech Republic1–2Spain
Vágner 54'Raúl 71', 89'

Semi-finals

Italy1–0France
Totti 49'
Spain2–1Scotland
Óscar 26' De la Peña 35'Marshall 28'

Third-place play-off

France1–0Scotland
Moreau 50'

Final

Italy1–1 (a.e.t.)Spain
Totti 11'Raúl 42'
Penalties
Panucci Pistone Fresi Nesta Morfeo4–2De la Peña De Pedro Aranzábal Raúl

Goalscorers

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

Own goal

Medal table and Olympic qualifiers

  • France, Italy and Spain qualify for Olympic Games finals.
  • Best losing quarter-finalists Hungary and Portugal also qualify.
  • Scotland do not compete in the Olympic Football Tournament (See Great Britain Olympic football team).
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsFinal result
Italy421142+25Gold medal
Spain (H)431074+37Silver medal
France421152+35Bronze medal
4Scotland410356−12Fourth place
5Hungary210134−12Eliminated in quarter-finals
6Portugal210112−12
7Germany201114−31
8Czech Republic200224−20

External links

  • at uefa.com
  • at rsssf.com