European U21 Championship round-up: Denmark comfortably progress while Netherlands reach last eight after Ukraine showdown

Denmark and the Netherlands progressed to the quarter-finals of the European U21 Championships, while Ukraine and Finland were eliminated as Group D reached its conclusion on Wednesday.

The Danes’ passage to the last eight had already been assured before kick-off, following successive victories against the Netherlands and Ukraine.

But Steffen Hojer’s side ensured they remain undefeated heading into the knockout phase despite throwing away a two-goal lead in Kosice.

Conrad Harder scored a brace but Finland staged a valiant comeback over nine second-half minutes, Naatan Skytta halving the deficit in the 73rd minute before Topi Keskinen levelled in the 82nd.

And so the battle for the runners-up spot was fought between Netherlands and Ukraine, with the former emerging victorious courtesy of goals in either half from Luciano Valente and Thom van Bergen.

The Oranje ended the game a player down when Youri Reeger was dismissed with less than 10-minutes remaining but the Netherlands held on and will face Portugal on Saturday.

As group winners, Denmark go up against France for a place in the last four.

Into the Quarter-finals! 🦁#TheNextUp #U21EURO pic.twitter.com/Jd6E79JKCL

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 18, 2025

Meanwhile, the fate of those in Group B was also decided as tournament holders England fell to a 2-1 defeat to Germany but still qualified for the next round, where they will meet Spain in a repeat of the 2023 final.

Victory for Germany ensured they became the only side in the competition to pick up maximum points and will go into the last eight a serious contender to go all the way.

There was a slim chance Slovenia could progress, in the case the Three Lions lost and they could overturn an inferior goal difference against Czechia.

However, that rarely looked like happening as Czechia ran out 2-0 winners thanks to second-half goals from Daniel Fila and Vaclav Sejk.

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