UEFA Youth League
Teams
Benfica U19
PSG U19
FC Porto U19
Juventus U19
Shakhtar Donetsk U19
Dinamo Zagreb U19
Sporting U19
Monaco U19
Dynamo Kiev U19
Besiktas U19
Lille U19
Sparta Prague U19
Malmo FF U19
MSK Zilina U19
Lokomotiv Moscow U19
Legia Warsaw U19
Borussia M'gladbach U19
MTK Budapest U19
Elfsborg U19
Nantes U19
Maccabi Tel Aviv U19
Slovan Bratislava U19
Altinordu U19
Slavia Prague U19
Braga U19
Puskas Academy U19
FC Nitra U19
FK Pribram U19
Marseille U19
Rennes U19
Montpellier U19
Sigma Olomouc U19
Partizan Belgrade U19
AS Trencin U19
Angers U19
AIK U19
FK Rad Beograd U19
Hammarby U19
Budapest Honved U19
FC Ashdod U19
Lech Poznan U19
Stjarnan/KFG U19
FK Senica U19
Cologne U19
FC Honka U19
Istanbul Basaksehir U19
St Patricks U19
Zaglebie Lubin U19
Korona Kielce U19
Bordeaux U19
Wikipedia - UEFA Youth League
The UEFA Youth League is an annual club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since 2013. In its current format, it is contested by the under-19 teams of the clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League league phase, plus the domestic youth champions of the best-ranked national associations.
The semi-finals and final matches have been traditionally played at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon, Switzerland, although for the 2022–23 edition, they were moved to the Stade de Genève due to increased interest in the tournament from the supporters of the participating clubs. The winners are awarded the Lennart Johansson Trophy, named in honour of the former UEFA president.
The most successful teams are Barcelona and Chelsea, with two titles each. Chelsea won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, while Barcelona won the inaugural season of the competition and clinched their second trophy in 2018. The current champions are Olympiacos, who beat Milan 3–0 in the 2024 final.
History
In May 2010, UEFA organised a match, referred to as the "UEFA Under-18 Challenge", between the under-18 teams of Bayern Munich and Internazionale, three days prior to the UEFA Champions League Final between the respective senior sides. Internazionale won the match 2–0 with two goals from Denis Alibec. The match was part of "UEFA Grassroots Day", and acted as an inspiration for the UEFA Youth League.
The teams in the first tournament, 2013–14 UEFA Youth League, played a group stage with the same composition and calendar as the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League group stage, and was held on a 'trial basis'.
The eight group-winners and eight runners-up from group stage then participated in a knockout phase. Unlike the UEFA Champions League, the knockout phase had single-leg ties, with the semi-finals and final played at neutral venues.
British media commented that the competition was formed to displace the NextGen Series.
In April 2014, Barcelona became the first champion, beating Benfica by 3–0 in the final-four held in Nyon.
After a two-year trial period, the UEFA Youth League became a permanent UEFA competition starting from the 2015–16 season, with the tournament expanded from 32 to 64 teams to allow the youth domestic champions of the top 32 associations according to their UEFA country coefficients to also participate. The 32 UEFA Champions League group stage youth teams retain the group stage format, with the group winners advancing to the round of 16 and the runners-up advancing to the play-offs. The 32 youth domestic champions play two rounds of two-legged ties, with the eight winners advancing to the play-offs, where they play a single match at home against the Champions League path runners-up. The round of 16 onwards retain the same format of single-leg ties as before.
From the 2024–25 season onwards, the format of the UEFA Youth League will change to accommodate the changes to be seen in the UEFA Champions League, with some differences:
- The new 36 team group stage for the Champions League path will only mirror the first 6 matchdays of the senior competition, with the top 22 teams making the knockout stage
- The domestic champions path will be expanded to three rounds, with the remaining 10 clubs facing the teams ranked 7th to 16th in the group stage (The top 6 from the Champions League path will face the teams ranked 17th to 22nd)
- The Youth League champions from the previous season qualify for the domestic champions path unless their senior team makes the Champions League group stage, in which case they will participate in the Champions League path
The tournament features the youth teams of top European clubs, including those participating in the UEFA Champions League. It provides a unique opportunity for these talented players, aged 16 to 19, to gain invaluable experience and exposure, as they compete against their peers from different countries.
The UEFA Youth League follows a similar format to the senior UEFA Champions League, with teams divided into groups for the initial stage. The group matches are fiercely contested, as each team strives to secure a place in the knockout rounds. The intensity and passion displayed by these young players are a testament to their dedication and determination to succeed.
As the tournament progresses, the level of competition reaches new heights, with the knockout stages showcasing thrilling matches and incredible displays of skill. The young footballers demonstrate their technical prowess, tactical understanding, and ability to handle pressure, captivating fans and scouts alike.
The UEFA Youth League not only provides a platform for young players to showcase their abilities but also offers a glimpse into the future of European football. Many of the participants in this tournament have gone on to become household names in the sport, making their mark in top-tier leagues and even representing their national teams.
Beyond the on-field action, the UEFA Youth League also promotes fair play, respect, and sportsmanship among the players. It encourages camaraderie and fosters a sense of unity among the youth teams, as they compete with a shared passion for the beautiful game.
With its electrifying atmosphere, high-stakes matches, and the promise of witnessing the stars of tomorrow, the UEFA Youth League is a must-watch tournament for football enthusiasts. It serves as a reminder of the immense talent and potential that lies within the youth ranks of European football, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the future of the sport.