UEFA under-19 Championship: Future football stars descend on NI – BBC News

With one Euros ending, another is about to begin, but this time, it is on Northern Ireland’s doorstep.

Some of the brightest up-and-coming football stars have arrived from across Europe for the Uefa European Under-19 Championship.

Will football’s next star be discovered during the following weeks?

Matches will be played in Belfast and Larne from 15 July to 28 July.

The tournament is returning to Northern Ireland for the first time since 2005.

Back then future World Cup winning captain Hugo Lloris, current Premier League manager Kieran McKenna and West Ham United legend Mark Noble were among those who took part.

The tournament is made up of two groups of four teams.

Northern Ireland, as the host nation, received an automatic qualification and kick off their campaign against Ukraine at Larne’s Inver Park on Monday.

Defending champions Italy are first in action, with an afternoon match against Norway at Seaview in Belfast.

Group B has France, Turkey, Denmark and Spain making up the rest of the tournament’s roster.

At the 2005 tournament, Northern Ireland was managed by former defender Mal Donaghy, while this year Gareth McAuley is in the hot seat; both experienced at playing for their country in major tournaments.

Indeed, McAuley knows a thing or two about defeating Ukraine.

Last month marked eight years since he scored in Northern Ireland’s 2-0 victory at Euro 2016 in the rain of Lyon.

Jonathan Tuffey was the under-19 goalkeeper for Northern Ireland in 2005,.

He told BBC News NI: “It was unbelievable to be part of such a prestigious event.”

“It was fantastic to be part of it and come up against opposition players of such quality.

“Lots of the players went on to have top careers in both national football and their own domestic leagues.

“Players going on and playing in the Premier League,” he added.

One name fans may recognise in the Denmark team is Emil Højlund of FC Copenhagen, the younger brother of Manchester United striker Rasmus.

He will, however, be without his twin brother Oscar who was originally called up but has since joined German side Eintracht Frankfurt.

Twins have a history in this competition with German duo Lars and Sven Bender winning joint player of the tournament at the 2008 iteration.

Defending champions Italy will have AC Milan youngsters Davide Bartesaghi and Kevin Zeroli.

Both have made appearances in the famed red and black of the Rossoneri’s first team.

Leading the line will be Simone Pafundi who already has a senior Italy cap to his name.

Zinedine Zidan’e son Elyaz will be joining up with the France squad, while for joint record champions Spain, Yarek Gąsiorowski of Valencia and Assane Diao of Real Betis will be in Northern Ireland after making senior club appearances last season.

Spain will, however, be missing 17-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal as he gears up for the Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against England.

At 16 years and 362 days he became the youngest to score in the men’s tournament’s history.

Matches will be held in Windsor Park and Seaview in Belfast and Inver Park in Larne.

BBC Sport NI has live coverage from the Uefa Men’s Under-19 Championships with all Northern Ireland matches available live alongside semi-finals and finals from the tournament.

Live coverage will be available across the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website and app, along with BBC Red Button coverage of selected matches.