Ahead of another international youth tournament which kicks off on Sunday 2 July, here’s what you need to know about the u19 European Championships.

Eight countries are involved, with seven having qualified through elite rounds.

They are alongside tournament hosts, Georgia, and in two groups of four. The tournament follows the same format as other UEFA competitions with group stage fixtures and knockout rounds afterwards.

Matches are 90 minutes in duration with extra time consisting of two 15-minute halves, just like regular rules. Penalty shoot-outs will decide ties if there is no winner the knockout fixtures.

The two groups are as follows:

Group A: Czech Republic, Georgia, Portugal and Sweden.

Group B: Bulgaria, England, Germany and Netherlands.

Germany are the only side involved that have won this competition before (2008 and 2014).

Current holders France were eliminated in the elite round, having finished bottom of their section which was won by Bulgaria. Sweden are in the u19 finals for the first time in their history.

When are the matches set to be played?

Group stage fixtures: 2nd and 3rd, 5th and 6th, 8th and 9th of July

Semi-finals: 12th July

Final: 15th July

If you live in the UK, Eurosport will show most of the fixtures. Six games from the groups, both semi-final encounters and the final in two weeks’ time will be broadcast.

This time last year, an impressive France side with the likes of Issa Diop, Amine Harit and Kylian Mbappé ran riot with a 4-0 thrashing over Italy in the final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1boLl8qfukw

They broke the record for highest scoreline in an u19 final and it’ll be interesting to track the progress of many talented prospects who will be keen to impress as scouts watch on.

There are plenty of players who have u19 experience. Arsenal’s own Mesut Özil has been involved in this tournament before, whilst players like Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres, Sergio Ramos and Andrés Iniesta have all won the competition at some stage in the past.

Arsenal’s Josh Dasilva will represent England at the tournament.