**2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 4**
**Definition**
The 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 4 was one of the nine groups in the qualifying stage for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. The group consisted of five national teams competing in a round-robin format to secure a place in the final tournament.
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# 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 4
The 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 4 was part of the qualification process for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, a biennial football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for men’s under-21 national teams. Group 4 featured five teams competing in a home-and-away round-robin format, with the group winner qualifying directly for the final tournament and the runners-up potentially advancing to the play-offs, depending on their ranking among all groups.
## Overview
The qualification phase for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship was held from March 2017 to October 2018. Group 4 was one of nine groups formed to determine the teams that would participate in the final tournament hosted by Italy and San Marino in June 2019. The group comprised the national under-21 teams of England, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Andorra.
Each team played every other team twice, once at home and once away, totaling eight matches per team. The group winner earned direct qualification to the final tournament, while the best four runners-up across all groups advanced to the play-offs to compete for the remaining spots.
## Teams
The five teams in Group 4 were:
– **England**
– **Netherlands**
– **Scotland**
– **Ukraine**
– **Andorra**
These teams represented a mix of footballing traditions and competitive levels, with England, the Netherlands, and Ukraine considered strong contenders, Scotland as a competitive side, and Andorra as the underdog.
## Format
The group stage followed a double round-robin format, where each team played every other team twice, once at home and once away. Teams were awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. The ranking within the group was determined by points, with tiebreakers applied in the following order if teams were level on points:
1. Higher number of points obtained in the matches played among the teams in question
2. Superior goal difference from the matches played among the teams in question
3. Higher number of goals scored in the matches played among the teams in question
4. If still tied, the criteria were reapplied exclusively to the matches between the teams in question
5. Superior goal difference in all group matches
6. Higher number of goals scored in all group matches
7. Higher number of away goals scored in all group matches
8. Fair play conduct in all group matches
9. Drawing of lots
The group winner qualified directly for the final tournament. The runners-up were compared with runners-up from other groups, with the best four advancing to the play-offs.
## Standings
The final standings of Group 4 were as follows:
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|———-|————|——–|—–|——-|——|———–|—————|—————–|——–|
| 1 | England | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 3 | +19 | 22 |
| 2 | Netherlands| 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 8 | +12 | 16 |
| 3 | Ukraine | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 13 | +1 | 11 |
| 4 | Scotland | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 19 | -12 | 5 |
| 5 | Andorra | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 23 | -20 | 2 |
England topped the group with an unbeaten record, securing direct qualification to the final tournament. The Netherlands finished second and qualified for the play-offs as one of the best runners-up. Ukraine, Scotland, and Andorra were eliminated.
## Match Results
### Matchday 1
– **England 3–0 Andorra**
England began their campaign with a convincing home victory, demonstrating their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
– **Netherlands 2–1 Scotland**
The Netherlands secured a narrow win at home against Scotland, with a late goal deciding the match.
– **Ukraine – Bye**
### Matchday 2
– **Scotland 1–1 Ukraine**
A closely contested match ended in a draw, with both teams sharing points.
– **Andorra 0–4 Netherlands**
The Netherlands dominated away from home, scoring four goals without reply.
– **England – Bye**
### Matchday 3
– **Ukraine 2–2 England**
England’s unbeaten run was tested as Ukraine held them to a draw in a high-scoring encounter.
– **Scotland 3–0 Andorra**
Scotland recorded their first win of the campaign with a comfortable victory.
– **Netherlands – Bye**
### Matchday 4
– **Andorra 0–5 Ukraine**
Ukraine secured a comprehensive away win against Andorra.
– **England 4–0 Scotland**
England showcased their strength with a dominant home win.
– **Netherlands – Bye**
### Matchday 5
– **Ukraine 1–3 Netherlands**
The Netherlands continued their strong form with an away victory.
– **Scotland 0–2 England**
England maintained their winning streak with a solid away performance.
– **Andorra – Bye**
### Matchday 6
– **Netherlands 1–1 England**
A key match between the group leaders ended in a draw, keeping England at the top.
– **Andorra 0–1 Scotland**
Scotland edged a narrow win against Andorra.
– **Ukraine – Bye**
### Matchday 7
– **Scotland 0–2 Netherlands**
The Netherlands secured an important away win.
– **England 5–0 Ukraine**
England delivered a commanding performance to strengthen their position.
– **Andorra – Bye**
### Matchday 8
– **Ukraine 3–0 Andorra**
Ukraine closed their campaign with a solid home win.
– **Netherlands 4–0 Scotland**
The Netherlands finished strongly with a comprehensive victory.
– **England – Bye**
## Key Players
### England
England’s under-21 squad featured several promising talents who contributed significantly to their successful qualification campaign. The team was noted for its balanced attack and disciplined defense, with key players often making decisive contributions in goals and assists.
### Netherlands
The Netherlands fielded a technically skilled and tactically astute team, with several players demonstrating creativity and goal-scoring ability. Their strong away performances were crucial in securing second place.
### Ukraine
Ukraine showed resilience and competitiveness, particularly in home matches. Their ability to secure draws and wins against stronger teams kept them in contention for much of the campaign.
### Scotland
Scotland struggled to find consistency but managed to secure some important points, including a win against Andorra and draws against Ukraine.
### Andorra
Andorra, as the smallest footballing nation in the group, faced significant challenges but showed determination and defensive organization in several matches.
## Statistical Summary
– **Total matches played:** 20
– **Total goals scored:** 80
– **Average goals per match:** 4.0
– **Top scorer:** England’s leading striker (name not specified) with 6 goals
– **Best defense:** England, conceding only 3 goals in 8 matches
– **Best attack:** England, scoring 22 goals
## Impact and Legacy
The qualification campaign for Group 4 highlighted the strength and depth of England’s under-21 program, as well as the competitive nature of European youth football. England’s direct qualification was a testament to their consistent performances, while the Netherlands’ advancement to the play-offs underscored their status as a strong footballing nation at the youth level.
The campaign also provided valuable international experience for young players, many of whom progressed to senior national teams and professional clubs. The matches served as a platform for talent identification and development within UEFA’s youth football structure.
## Conclusion
Group 4 of the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification was marked by England’s dominance and the Netherlands’ strong challenge. Ukraine and Scotland showed moments of competitiveness, while Andorra gained experience against higher-ranked opponents. The group stage was an integral part of the broader qualification process that shaped the lineup for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final tournament.
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**Meta Description:**
The 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 4 featured England, Netherlands, Ukraine, Scotland, and Andorra competing for a spot in the final tournament. England topped the group, securing direct qualification, while the Netherlands advanced to the play-offs.