2023 Under-19 EURO semi-final preview: Portugal vs Norway, Spain vs Italy

The 2023 Under-19 EURO semi-finals are taking place tonight as Portugal face Norway and Spain meet Italy for a place in Sunday's final at the National Stadium in Ta' Qali.

First-time semi-finalists Norway will be aiming to continue their ground-breaking campaign, while a potential repeat of the 2019 final is on the cards for Spain and Portugal.

Portugal vs Norway

Spain vs Italy

Before a ball had even been kicked in Malta, Spain coach José Lana affirmed that his team would "remain faithful to their identity".

Playing with freedom yet control, the Group B winners are undefeated, logging seven goals – including three from the competition's leading marksman, Víctor Barberà – and conceding just once.

Enduring a less smooth passage to the knockouts (W1 D1 L1), opponents Italy "have climbed a mountain" in reaching the last four according to coach Alberto Bollini, while Samuele Vignato praised the "unity within the squad".

This will be the Azzurrini's sixth semi-finals appearance. They have reached the final on four of the five previous occasions but have only lifted the trophy once, beating Portugal in the 2003 edition in Vaduz.

Spain, meanwhile, have only lost only one of their previous ten semi-finals and have gone on to claim the title eight times. A Ferran Torres double sunk this year's potential final opponents, Portugal, for their most recent triumph in 2019.

In managing to grapple their way out of a tricky group stage situation, have Bollini's men "regained the right mentality" in time to match the eight-time champions?

Did you know? Italy reached the semi-finals in 2022, where they were eliminated by eventual champions England.

When and where is the 2023 Under-19 EURO final?

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The final will take place at the National Stadium in Ta' Qali at 21:00 CET on Sunday 16 July.