Under 21 Euros: Best XI after the Group Stages

The group stages of the ongoing UEFA Under-21 European Champions came to an end amidst high drama as Spain, Romania, France and defending champions Germany secured qualification for the semi-finals.

The Group C decider between Romania and France ended in a 0-0 stalemate, ensuring Romania progressed as group C winners while Les Blues moved to the next round as the best second placed team from amongst the three groups.

Spain Under-21 came back strong after a loss to Italy to finish as group A winners, dispatching Poland Under-21 5-0 in their final group game. Despite drawing their final Group B game 1-1 against Austria, Germany qualified for the semi-finals as winners of the group.

With the semi-finals set to kick off tonight, let us look at the best XI up until this point.

#Goalkeeper: Daniel Iversen (Denmark U-21/Leicester City)

Oldham Athletic v Northampton Town - Sky Bet League Two

Danish goalkeeper Daniel Iversen has had a standout Under-21 Euro campaign, part of a well drilled side that narrowly missed out on qualifying for the semi-finals after they finished second in Group B behind Germany.

The 21-year-old Leicester City shotstopper pulled off several sensational saves throughout the course of the tournament helping the De rød-hvide mount a serious challenge in the tournament.

#Left Back: Joakim Maehle (Denmark U-21/Genk)

KRC Genk v Besiktas - UEFA Europa League - Group I

22-year-old Denmark Under-21 and Genk left back Joakim Maehle had an impressive Euro Under-21 campaign, registering 2 goals and 1 assist in the tournament. The youngster had impressed in the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League for Belgian side Genk, having made 3 assists over the course of the championship.

A speedy wingback with great dribbling ability, Maehle was declared the man-of-the-match in Denmark Under-21's 3-1 win over Austria Under-21. His stats in the group stages make great reading as he has averaged 1.5 successful tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 0.5 clearances and 1.5 dribbles per game.

#Right Back: Cristian Manea (Romania U-21, CFR Cluj)

Serbia v Romania - UEFA Nations League C

Romania Under-21 have been the surprise package of this edition of the Euro Under-21 tournament, surprising everyone by pipping France to the top of Group C with their plucky performances. Right-back Cristian Manea has been one of their standout players and was declared man-of-the-match in the 0-0 draw between Romania and France, which in effect handed the group to the Tricolorii.

Having provided 1 assist in three starts, Manea has averaged 3.3 successful tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 clearances and 1 blocks per game. The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Romanian club CFR Cluj from Cypriot outfit Apollon Limassol.

#Centra Back: Krystian Bielik (Poland U-21/Arsenal)

Italy v Poland: Group A - 2019 UEFA U-21 Championship

Poland presented a stern challenge for hosts Italy and 2017 Under-21 Euro finalists Spain in Group A as all three teams finished with 6 points with 3 games. La Furia Roja narrowly got through on a better goal difference. No player better exemplified the fighting spirit of the Poles than Arsenal centre-back Krystian Bielik who impressed everyone with his dominating displays in the centre of defence.

The 21-year-old towering centre-back also chipped in with two goals as the Biało-czerwoni defeated Italy and Belgium in the group stages, faltering in their final game against Spain. Bielik average 2.7 aerial duels won, 1.3 tackles, 2 interceptions,7.7 clearances and 1.3 blocks per game over the three group matches to cap an impressive individual tournament performance.

#Centre Back: Dayot Upamecano (France U-21, RB Leipzig)

Napoli v RB Leipzig - UEFA Europa League

Dayot Upamecano underscored his emergence as one of the finest young defenders in Europe with a glittering display in the Under-21 Euros, leading France into the semi-finals as the best second-placed team from amongst the three groups. The 20-year-old RB Leipzig defender was imperious at the back as the Les Bleus conceded just once over their three group games.

Averaging a stunning 3 aerials won, 2.7 clearances, 1.3 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game, Upamecano has been a colossus in defence for the Frenchmen, shutting out the potent attacks of England, Croatia and Romania.

#Central Midfielder: Lorenzo Pellegrini (Italy U-21/AS Roma)

Belgium v Italy: Group A - 2019 UEFA U-21 Championship

AS Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini has been a standout star of the Euro Under-21 tournament with his displays, pulling the strings in midfield for hosts Italy. The 23-year-old scored a goal and recorded an assist as the Azzurri narrowly missed out on qualifying for the semis, finishing second only in terms of goal difference in Group A.

The youngster is fast establishing himself as a first team regular for AS Roma, having started 21 league games in Serie A last season. With 3.3 key passes and 3 successful dribbles per game at the tournament, Pellegrini may be the future of the Italian midfield for years to come.

#Central Midfielder: Dani Ceballos (Spain U-21/Real Madrid)

Real Madrid CF v Deportivo Alaves - La Liga

Adjudged the best player in the 2017 edition of the Under-21 Euro, Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos seems to have carried on from where he left off in the last tournament, setting the 2019 campaign alight with his scintillating displays for the La Furia Roja.

Having already scored 2 goals and registered 2 assists to lead Spain into the semi-finals, Ceballos is clearly out to impress potential buyers as he looks for a new club with Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane having deemed him as surplus to requirements.

#Winger: Marco Richter (Germany U-21/Augsburg)

Austria v Germany: Group B - 2019 UEFA U-21 Championship

Augsburg winger Marco Richter has been a driving force in the German midfield, enabling Die Mannschaft to progress into the semi-finals from a tough Group B that also included Denmark, Austria and Serbia.

Having scored 3 goals and registered 2 assists in 3 games, he is only behind Gian-Luca Waldschmidt in the top scorers list. Declared the man of the match in Germany's 3-1 defeat against Denmark, Richter has impressed pundits and fans alike with his powerful runs down the wing and accurate finishing.

#Winger: Federico Chiesa (Italy U-21/ACF Fiorentina)

Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa impressed everyone with his dynamic displays down the wings for the Azzuri, almost singlehandedly carrying the hosts into the semi-finals. The 21-year-old scored 3 goals, taking up the goalscoring responsibilities from an off-colour Moise Kean who disappointed in the tournament.

A speedy winger with silky dribbling abilities, Chiesa was the man of the match in Italy's opening 3-1 upset win over Spain, running rings around the La Furia Roja defence. Having already won 13 caps for the Italy senior team, the 21-year-old looks to have a very bright future ahead of him.

#Forward: George Puscas (Romania U-21/Palermo)

US Citta di Palermo v Hellas Verona - Serie B

23-year-old Palermo forward George Puscas has been the chief architect behind Romania's dream run into the semi-finals of the Under-21 Euros, as the strikers 2 goals in 3 games crucial to their progress.

Romania upset Croatia 4-1 and England 4-2 in the group games to emerge as the dark horses of the tournament, with Puscas impressing with his immense ability in holding the ball up as a lone forward and dominating centre backs with his physicality.

#Forward: Gian-Luca Waldschmidt (Germany U-21/SC Freiburg)

With 5 goals in 3 games, Luca Waldschmidt is the current top goalscorer in the tournament as Die Mannschaft racked up 10 goals in their first three group games. Equally adept at scoring with his feet or in the air, Waldschmidt had given defenders a tough time.

Deemed the man of the match in two out of Germany's three group games, the SC Freiburg striker is also knocking on the door of the German senior team with Joachim Low still on the lookout for a proper, world-class Number 9 for his team.

The final XI is as below: