UEFA Under-19 Championships Malta 2023: Twenty eight teams fight for finals spot

In the elite round, The 27 teams that emerged from the qualifying round along with top seeds Portugal are taking part in the elite round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with the seven group winners to join hosts Malta in the finals from 3 to 16 July.

The mini-tournaments got underway on Wednesday and will run until Tuesday.

In Group 1, Norway and hosts France registered wins as they defeated Romania 4-0 and Northern Ireland 1-0 respectively.

Italy defeated hosts Germany 3-2 in Group 2 while Belgium were held in a goalless draw by Slovenia.

Luxembourg are the surprise leaders in Group 3 as they defeated Ukraine 2-1 while Denmark and hosts Spain shared the spoils in a goalless draw.

In Group 4, Czechia defeated Croatia 3-1 while hosts Portugal beat Sweden 1-0.

Greece and Slovakia registered wins in Group 5, defeating Estonia 3-0 and hosts the Republic of Ireland 2-1 respectively.

In Group 6, Serbia lead the way following a 1-0 win over Latvia while Israel – finalists in the last edition of 2022 – and hosts Poland earned a point each in a 1-1 draw.

Holders England, who are also hosting the Group 7 mini-tournament, defeated Hungary 1-0 while Iceland and Turkiye shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Malta will enter the finals for the first time as host.