Slovakia U21 vs Spain U21 Preview & Prediction | 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship | Group Stage
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Slovakia are playing at just their third ever UEFA U21 European Championships, having qualified as hosts, as they take on an excellent Spain side in Bratislava in the opening game.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Channel 4 / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Channel 4 / US – Disney+ & ViX
Key stats
- The only previous U21 EURO finals match between these teams was a 1-0 victory for Spain in the third-place play-off at the 2000 edition in Slovakia. Overall, Spain have won their last seven U21 EURO meetings (qual and FT), since a draw in their first encounter in 1996.
- Slovakia were unbeaten in the group stage when they previously hosted finals in 2000 (W2 D1).
- Slovakia have won four of their previous six U21 EURO group matches (D1 L1).
- Slovakia won their opening match in their previous two U21 EURO group participations (2-1 vs Türkiye in 2000 and 2-1 vs Poland in 2017).
- Spain have won five U21 EURO titles – a record they share with Italy.
- Spain reached their ninth U21 EURO final in 2023, two more than any other team.
- Spain have lost only two of their previous 24 U21 EURO group matches (W16 D6). A 1-3 defeat against Italy in 2019 and a 0-2 loss against England in 2009.
- Spain have only failed to score in one of their last 19 U21 EURO group matches.
- Spain have won their opening match in four of their last five U21 EURO final tournament appearances (L1).
Slovakia U21 vs Spain U21 prediction
Slovakia, as mentioned, qualified automatically for the 16-team tournament as hosts, so there will be a concern about their overall quality for this tournament. Their most recent outing saw them suffer a 4-0 loss at home to France’s U21 side, a few days after a 1-0 defeat to Germany during the March international break.
Spain’s entire youth football system and progression into their almost all-conquering first-team is a seamless one. Santi Denia is in charge of La Rojita and his squad boasts the likes of Rafa Marin, Kike Salas, Gerard Martin, Javi Guerra, Fermin Lopez, Mikel Jauregizar and Jesus Rodriguez among many other exciting talents.
Spain will head to Slovakia as one of the favourites to win a record sixth European crown at U21 level and they should get their campaign underway with a comfortable victory here.
Slovakia U21 vs Spain U21 tip: Spain to win to nil
