As we reflect back on 2021, the return of youth-level football on an international stage has to be one of the highlights. With tournaments cancelled for over a year due to coronavirus, football federations have had to play catch up as a generation of young footballers missed out on the traditional pathways to develop their trade.
England U19s opened their European qualification with a hard-fought victory over a spirited Republic of Ireland side.
England’s U17s were back in action on Thursday afternoon as they secured a vital win against Belgium in their European Qualifying group.
England’s U17s began their European qualifying campaign with defeat to Russia in Inowroclaw.
524 days is how long England U19s coach, Lydia Bedford, has calculated since her group of young footballers had an international fixture. It is a large amount of time by any stretch, but particularly so in the cycle of youth football that prepares the next generation for their senior careers.
After what seems like several years, international football returns over the first ten days of March.
England’s U19s are heading to the 2019 European Championships after a strong 2-0 win over Italy on Wednesday afternoon.
England U19s took one step closer to the European Championships of Saturday afternoon, with a 4-0 win over Sweden.
England U19s opened their European Elite Round qualifying campaign with a comfortable 7-0 win over Turkey.
The first tournament of note this year for the international youth levels took place over the last 10 days. The U17 Elite Round began as 28 European teams vied for the chance to reach this May’s European Championships.