2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship
The 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship was the eleventh edition of UEFA's annual international youth football tournament for men's national teams of players under 17 years old, hosted by Slovenia from 4 to 16 May 2012.[1] Eight teams qualified for the finals: hosts Slovenia, defending champions the Netherlands, Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, Iceland, and Georgia.[2] The tournament featured a group stage with two groups of four teams each, followed by semi-finals and a final, all held across venues in Ljubljana, Domžale, Maribor, and Lendava.[3] In Group A (Germany, Georgia, France, Iceland), Germany topped the table with a perfect record of three wins, including a 1–0 victory over Georgia and a 3–0 win against France, while Georgia advanced as runners-up after a 1–0 defeat of Iceland.[4] Group B (Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Slovenia) saw the Netherlands and Poland progress with five points each, highlighted by the Dutch's 3–1 opening win over hosts Slovenia and a 0–0 draw between the top two on the final group day.[5] The semi-finals pitted the Netherlands against Georgia (2–0 win for the Dutch, with late goals from Jordy de Jong and Anfernee Dijksteel) and Germany against Poland (1–0 German victory, courtesy of Leon Goretzka).[6] The final on 16 May in Ljubljana ended 1–1 after extra time, with Leon Goretzka scoring for Germany in first-half stoppage time and Elton Acolatse equalizing for the Netherlands in the 81st minute; the Dutch retained their title by winning 5–4 on penalties.[7] Germany's Max Meyer was the tournament's top scorer with three goals, while standout performers included Netherlands defender Nathan Aké and German midfielder Leon Goretzka, both of whom later progressed to senior international careers.[8] The event marked Slovenia's first hosting of a UEFA youth finals and drew a total attendance of 41,420, underscoring the growing appeal of youth international football.[1]Background
Host selection
The hosting rights for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship were awarded to Slovenia by the UEFA Executive Committee on 4 October 2010, during its meeting in Minsk, Belarus.[9] This selection positioned Slovenia to stage the final tournament for the first time in the competition's history, following the pattern of UEFA assigning hosting duties to different member associations for each edition.[9] Slovenia, which joined UEFA in 1992 following its independence, had not previously hosted a UEFA European Championship final tournament but demonstrated readiness through its growing football infrastructure and experience in organizing regional youth events.[10] With this award, Slovenia became the 32nd of UEFA's 53 member nations to appear in the Under-17 finals, marking its debut participation as the host nation.[11]Tournament format
The 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament featured eight teams, divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals; there was no third-place match, and the winners were determined in the final.[1] Slovenia qualified automatically as the host nation.[1] Eligibility rules required all players to be born on or after 1 January 1995 and to hold the nationality of the participating association.[1] Each team registered a maximum squad of 18 players, including at least three goalkeepers, with numbers assigned from 1 to 23 and no duplicates allowed across the tournament.[12] Matches in the final tournament consisted of two 40-minute halves, with a 15-minute half-time interval.[1] In the group stage, drawn matches resulted in a shared point, with no extra time played.[1] Knockout ties, including the semi-finals and final, were resolved directly by kicks from the penalty mark without extra time.[1] For group stage rankings, teams earned three points for a win and one for a draw; ties on points were broken first by overall goal difference, then by total goals scored.[12] Under UEFA's youth tournament guidelines, teams could replace up to two field players in the final tournament squad due to injury, supported by medical certification, in addition to unlimited goalkeeper replacements if necessary; such changes had to be approved by the UEFA control delegate before the team's first match.[12] Disciplinary measures followed UEFA's general regulations, with yellow cards accumulating toward suspensions (three yellows equating to one red) and red cards resulting in at least a one-match ban; the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body handled any further violations, including doping or misconduct.[12]Tournament organization
Venues
The 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship was hosted across four stadiums in Slovenia, selected to accommodate the group stage, semi-finals, and final while meeting UEFA's standards for youth international competitions, including pitch quality, spectator facilities, and security provisions.[1] These venues were distributed to balance logistical needs, with matches concentrated in central and northeastern regions for efficient travel among teams.[1] The following table lists the venues, their locations, capacities, and roles in the tournament:| Venue | Location | Capacity | Matches Hosted |
|---|---|---|---|
| ŠRC Stožice Stadium | Ljubljana | 16,100 | Three Group A matches, both semi-finals, final |
| Stadion Ljudski vrt | Maribor | 12,435 | Three group matches |
| Športni Park | Domžale | 3,100 | Three group matches |
| Športni Park | Lendava | 3,000 | Three group matches |
Match officials
UEFA appointed six referees, eight assistant referees, and two fourth officials for the final tournament of the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, held in Slovenia from 4 to 16 May.[1] The selection process prioritized top national officials with recent international experience, typically 1-2 years on the FIFA list, to foster development in youth competitions while ensuring high standards of officiating.[17] UEFA Refereeing Committee members, including Vlado Sajn and Kyros Vassaras, provided on-site support, offering post-match feedback and analysis to aid referee performance and consistency.[17] The main referees, all FIFA-listed, were:| Referee | Country | Birth Year | FIFA List Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emir Alečković | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1979 | 2010 |
| Marius Avram | Romania | 1979 | 2010 |
| Mattias Gestranius | Finland | 1978 | 2009 |
| Ivan Kružliak | Slovakia | 1984 | 2011 |
| Harald Lechner | Austria | 1982 | 2010 |
| Alan Mario Sant | Malta | 1980 | 2010 |
Qualification
Qualifying round
The qualifying round of the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship featured 52 national teams from UEFA member associations, excluding hosts Slovenia and non-participant Liechtenstein, divided into 13 groups of four teams each.[19] Each group was organized as a mini-tournament in a round-robin format, with one team serving as host for all matches at a single venue, and fixtures taking place across various dates from late September to early November 2011.[20][21][19] Teams in each group played one match against every other opponent, accumulating points based on wins (three points), draws (one point), and losses (zero points). The group winner and runner-up from each of the 13 groups advanced to the elite round, for a total of 26 progressing teams; tiebreakers for standings were applied first by goal difference, then by goals scored, and subsequently by results in head-to-head matches if needed.[19] Notable host nations included Denmark for Group 5, where they topped the standings after securing maximum points from their three matches, and Croatia for Group 7, which saw a tight contest resolved on the final day.[21] Standout performances marked several groups, such as Serbia's dominant run in Group 9 as hosts, where they recorded three victories including a 2-1 win over Armenia, finishing with a perfect nine points and a +10 goal difference.[22] In Group 8, Sweden edged out Georgia on the final matchday with a 2-0 victory, securing first place on goal difference after both teams ended with seven points.[20] Italy's progression in Group 5 was highlighted by a late goal from Alberto Cerri in a 3-2 win over Austria, ensuring second place despite the hosts' overall lead.[21] The group winners and runners-up, who advanced to the elite round, were as follows:| Group | Winner | Runner-up | Host Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hungary | Belarus | Belarus |
| 2 | Russia | Portugal | Finland |
| 3 | Scotland | Turkey | Turkey |
| 4 | Czech Republic | Republic of Ireland | Russia |
| 5 | Denmark | Italy | Denmark |
| 6 | England | Netherlands | Romania |
| 7 | Belgium | Ukraine | Croatia |
| 8 | Sweden | Georgia | Moldova |
| 9 | Serbia | Lithuania | Serbia |
| 10 | France | Luxembourg | Northern Ireland |
| 11 | Spain | Poland | Cyprus |
| 12 | Germany | Albania | Wales |
| 13 | Iceland | Switzerland | Iceland |
Elite round
The elite round served as the decisive qualification phase for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, contested from 22 to 27 March 2012. It featured 28 teams—comprising the 13 group winners and 13 runners-up from the qualifying round, plus the two best third-placed teams (Wales and Bulgaria)—divided into seven groups of four. Each group was hosted by one participating nation and played in a single-venue round-robin format, with the winner of each group advancing to the final tournament alongside hosts Slovenia, for a total of eight teams. The draw took place on 29 November 2011 in Nyon, Switzerland, seeding teams into four pots based on their qualifying round results to ensure balanced competition.[19] Group winners were determined by points (three for a win, one for a draw), with tiebreakers applied in order of: points and goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams; goals scored in those matches; overall goal difference; overall goals scored; disciplinary points (yellow card three points, red card from two yellows four points, direct red two points, yellow plus direct red five points); UEFA national team coefficient; and, if needed, a penalty shoot-out. Overall goal difference proved crucial in several groups, while no matches required disciplinary tiebreakers or further steps.[23][24][25] The qualifiers were the Netherlands, Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, Iceland, and Georgia.[2]Participating teams
List of teams
The 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship featured eight teams, with Slovenia qualifying automatically as hosts and the remaining seven advancing through the elite round of qualification.[2] These teams represented a mix of established youth powers and nations returning after extended absences, including first-time finalists in the modern under-17 format for some.[1] The participating teams, their qualification status, approximate senior national team FIFA rankings at the time of the tournament (May 2012), and head coaches are listed below:| Team | Qualification Status | FIFA Ranking (May 2012) | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Elite round group winners | 44 | Patrick Klinkenberg |
| France | Elite round group winners | 16 | Jean-Claude Giuntini |
| Georgia | Elite round group winners (clinched with 1-0 win over Ukraine) | 95 | Vasil Maisuradze |
| Germany | Elite round group winners | 2 | Stefan Böger |
| Iceland | Elite round group winners | 131 | Gunnar Gudmundsson |
| Netherlands | Elite round group winners (defending champions) | 4 | Albert Stuivenberg |
| Poland | Elite round group winners | 65 | Marcin Dorna |
| Slovenia | Hosts (finals debut) | 28 | Miloš Kostić |
Squad overview
Each national team was required to submit a provisional squad of up to 40 players before the elite round, narrowing it to a final list of 18 players for the final tournament, including at least three goalkeepers.[12] This list, accompanied by the players' passports for age and identity verification, had to be submitted by 12:00 CET on the day prior to the team's first match, with UEFA conducting a visual eligibility check shortly before the opening game.[12] Players were eligible if born on or after 1 January 1995, ensuring all were aged 16 or 17 during the tournament.[1] Notable inclusions across the squads highlighted emerging talents, such as Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka for Germany, Davy Klaassen and Tonny Trindade de Vilhena for the Netherlands, Tuur Dierckx for Belgium, Mariusz Stępiński for Poland, and Giorgi Gorozia for Georgia.[1] These selections reflected a mix of midfield creators and versatile forwards, for example, Slovenia including forward Rok Kidrič.[1] Team preparations varied significantly, with Poland's squad benefiting from 60 days of collective training, while Georgia held two 11-day camps in Luxembourg and Austria, and Germany conducted a 10-day session in La Manga, Spain.[1] Belgium, for instance, managed with just one day of pre-tournament preparation.[1] Squads maintained balance across positions, typically featuring three goalkeepers, four defenders, six midfielders, and five forwards, aligned with common formations like 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.[1] Age distribution was concentrated in 1995 and 1996 birth years, with teams like Belgium drawing players from nearly all months except December to avoid relative age biases.[1]Group stage
Group A
Group A of the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship consisted of France, Georgia, Germany, and Iceland, with matches held from 4 to 10 May 2012 at Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana and Športni Park in Domžale.[1] Germany won all three of their games without conceding, topping the group with nine points and advancing to the semi-finals alongside runners-up Georgia, who finished on four points after a crucial final-day victory.[1] France and Iceland were eliminated, with the former earning two points from two draws and the latter just one from a single draw.[1] The group standings were: [1] On 4 May, Germany began their campaign with a 1–0 win over Georgia at Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana, where Max Meyer scored the decisive goal in the 60th minute in front of 600 spectators.[1] Later that day at Športni Park in Domžale, France and Iceland shared the points in a 2–2 draw, with Mohamed Chemlal opening the scoring for France in the 7th minute and Anthony Martial adding a second in the 56th minute; Iceland fought back through Gunnlaugur Birgisson in the 66th minute and Hjörtur Hermannsson in the 77th, watched by 1,024 fans.[1] Matchday two on 7 May saw France held to another 1–1 stalemate by Georgia in Domžale, where Chiaber Chechelashvili converted a 30th-minute penalty for the visitors before Thomas Lemar equalized for France in the 67th minute amid 1,228 attendees.[1] In Ljubljana, Germany maintained their clean sheet with a 1–0 victory against Iceland at Stožice Stadium, courtesy of Marc Stendera's early strike in the 20th minute before 1,154 supporters.[1] The final round on 10 May confirmed the qualifiers as Germany thrashed France 3–0 in Ljubljana, with Max Meyer netting a quickfire brace in the 54th and 56th minutes and Max Dittgen sealing the win in the 62nd in front of the largest crowd of the group at 4,552.[1] Simultaneously in Domžale, Georgia clinched progression with a narrow 1–0 triumph over Iceland, Dato Dartsimelia's 73rd-minute goal proving enough despite 763 in attendance.[1] In total, 12 goals were scored across the six Group A fixtures, averaging two per game, with no tiebreakers required for qualification as the top two teams advanced directly to the semi-finals.[1]Group B
Group B of the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship featured hosts Slovenia alongside defending champions Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium. The group stage matches took place between 4 and 10 May 2012 across venues in Lendava and Maribor, Slovenia. A total of 11 goals were scored in the six fixtures, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals.[1] The final standings were determined by points, with goal difference as the first tiebreaker. Netherlands finished first with 5 points and a +2 goal difference, securing advancement. Poland also earned 5 points but placed second due to a +1 goal difference. Belgium took third with 4 points (+1 goal difference), while Slovenia ended last with 1 point (-4 goal difference).| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 5 |
| 2 | Poland | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 |
| 3 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
| 4 | Slovenia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 1 |
Knockout stage
Bracket
The knockout stage of the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship featured the top two teams from each of the two groups advancing directly to the semi-finals, with no third-place match contested.[1] From Group A, Germany (winners) and Georgia (runners-up) progressed, while from Group B, the Netherlands (winners) and Poland (runners-up) advanced.[1] The semi-final pairings were determined by a predetermined draw format, pitting the Group A winner against the Group B runner-up and the Group A runner-up against the Group B winner to ensure balanced competition.[1] All knockout matches, including the semi-finals and final, were held at the ŠRC Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana, Slovenia.[1] The tournament bracket proceeded as follows:| Semi-finals (13 May 2012, ŠRC Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana) | Final (16 May 2012, ŠRC Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana) |
|---|---|
| Netherlands 2–0 Georgia | |
| Netherlands 1–1 Germany (Netherlands win 5–4 on penalties) | |
| Germany 1–0 Poland |
Semi-finals
The semi-finals of the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship took place on 13 May 2012 at the ŠRC Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana, Slovenia, featuring the top two teams from each group stage bracket.[1] In the first semi-final, Germany defeated Poland 1–0. The match was tightly contested, with Germany taking the lead in the 34th minute through Leon Goretzka's header from a corner kick. Poland mounted pressure in the second half but were reduced to ten players after Igor Lasicki received a red card in the 79th minute for a second bookable offence. The attendance was 1,629.[1] Germany employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing patient build-up play from the back and quick transitions to exploit wide areas, which allowed them to control possession at 58% and limit Poland's attacking threats despite the latter's early dominance in duels. Poland, in contrast, adopted a compact 4-4-2 setup focused on counter-attacks, but the numerical disadvantage disrupted their rhythm, leading to fewer than five shots on target.[1] The second semi-final saw the Netherlands overcome Georgia 2–0. Georgia were down to ten men from the 16th minute following Nika Tchanturia's red card for a reckless challenge, yet they held firm until the final stages. The Netherlands broke through in the 79th minute with Jorrit Hendrix heading in from Nathan Aké's cross, followed by Thom Haye's left-footed shot from the edge of the box two minutes into stoppage time. The attendance was 547.[1] The Netherlands utilized a 4-3-3 formation, prioritizing possession (62%) and wide overloads to stretch Georgia's reduced defense, though early frustrations led to substitutions aimed at injecting pace. Georgia's defensive 5-3-1 shape after the red card focused on deep blocking, but fatigue in the closing minutes exposed gaps, resulting in just two shots attempted by the Georgians.[1] Germany and the Netherlands advanced to the final on 16 May in Ljubljana as a result of their victories, having progressed from the group stage where they topped their respective groups ahead of Poland and Georgia. Across the two semi-finals, a total of three goals were scored, reflecting the defensive intensity of the knockout phase.[1]Final
The final of the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship was contested between Germany and the defending champions, the Netherlands, on 16 May 2012 at the ŠRC Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana, Slovenia.[3] The match was refereed by Slovakia's Ivan Kružliak, with attendance recorded at 11,674 spectators.[34][1] Both teams had advanced through the semi-finals, with the Netherlands defeating Georgia 2–0 and Germany overcoming Poland 1–0.[7] The match began with both sides exchanging chances, as Timo Werner struck the crossbar for Germany in the 23rd minute and Queensy Menig did the same for the Netherlands before halftime. Germany took the lead in the 45th minute when Leon Goretzka headed in a corner kick. The second half saw the Dutch push forward, but it was not until the 81st minute that Elton Acolatse volleyed home a cross from Thom Haye to level the score at 1–1. No red cards were issued, though yellows were shown to several players for fouls and time-wasting.[7] The match ended in a 1–1 draw after 90 minutes and, per tournament rules with no extra time played in the final, the outcome was decided by a penalty shoot-out. The Netherlands prevailed 5–4, with Nick Olij saving Marc Stendera's effort; successful Dutch takers included Vilhena, Hendrix, Acolatse, and Aké, while Germany’s misses came from Stendera and Sarr.[7] This victory marked the Netherlands' second consecutive title, following their 2011 triumph, and capped a tournament that featured 28 goals across 15 matches.[1] Post-match, UEFA President Michel Platini presented the trophy to captain Tonny Vilhena amid celebrations from the Dutch squad, who retained the Henri Delaunay Cup for under-17s.[8]Awards and records
Goalscorers
A total of 28 goals were scored during the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals, contested across 15 matches involving eight national teams, with an average of 1.87 goals per match. These goals were netted by 25 different players, excluding any own goals, which were not attributed to individual scorers in official records. Assists were not formally tracked or recorded by UEFA for this tournament.[1] The top scorer was Max Meyer from Germany, who found the net three times, while his teammate Leon Goretzka was the only other player to score more than once, with two goals. The remaining 23 goals came from individual scorers, one each, representing all participating nations: Germany, Netherlands, France, Iceland, Poland, Slovenia, Belgium, and Georgia. No hat-tricks were achieved, and penalties played a minor role, with none converted during the knockout stages.[1] In terms of distribution by stage, the group phase (12 matches) produced 23 goals, reflecting an average of 1.92 per match, while the knockout phase (three matches: semi-finals and final) yielded 5 goals at an average of 1.67 per match, excluding penalties from the shootout.[1] This edition marked one of the lowest-scoring U17 Championships in recent years, with 28 goals representing a 42% decrease from the 48 goals in the 2005 tournament and a 15% reduction compared to the 33 goals in 2011, underscoring a trend toward more tactical and defensively oriented play among youth international teams.[1]Tournament select squad
The UEFA technical observers selected Max Meyer of Germany as the best player of the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, praising his overall impact, leadership, and ability to influence games through goals, assists, and creative playmaking.[35] As the tournament's top scorer with three goals, Meyer's performances exemplified the technical prowess and decisiveness sought in standout individuals.[1] The tournament select squad was compiled by UEFA's technical observers—Ross Mathie (Scotland), John Peacock (England), and Andy Roxburgh (UEFA technical director)—based on players' performances throughout the finals in Slovenia.[1] Selections emphasized technical quality, tactical awareness, and contributions to team success across all matches, drawing from the eight participating nations to represent the competition's depth.[1] The squad highlighted a mix of nationalities, with the Netherlands and Germany featuring prominently.| Position | Player | Nationality | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Nick Olij | Netherlands | AZ Alkmaar |
| Goalkeeper | Oliver Schnitzler | Germany | Bayer 04 Leverkusen |
| Defender | Jeremy Dudziak | Germany | BV Borussia Dortmund |
| Defender | Corentin Fiore | Belgium | R. Standard de Liège |
| Defender | Jorrit Hendrix | Netherlands | PSV Eindhoven |
| Defender | Hjörtur Hermannsson | Iceland | Fylkir |
| Defender | Otar Kakabadze | Georgia | FC Dinamo Tbilisi |
| Defender | Marian Sarr | Germany | Bayer 04 Leverkusen |
| Midfielder | Nathan Aké | Netherlands | Chelsea FC |
| Midfielder | Pieter Gerkens | Belgium | KRC Genk |
| Midfielder | Leon Goretzka | Germany | VfL Bochum 1848 |
| Midfielder | Giorgi Gorozia | Georgia | FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi |
| Midfielder | Thom Haye | Netherlands | AZ Alkmaar |
| Midfielder | Dino Hotič | Slovenia | NK Maribor |
| Midfielder | Oliver Sigurjónsson | Iceland | AGF Aarhus |
| Midfielder | Tonny Trindade de Vilhena | Netherlands | Feyenoord / Excelsior |
| Forward | Julian Brandt | Germany | VfL Wolfsburg |
| Forward | Tuur Dierckx | Belgium | Club Brugge KV |
| Forward | Corentin Jean | France | ES Troyes Aube |
| Forward | Max Meyer | Germany | FC Schalke 04 |
| Forward | Marc Stendera | Germany | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| Forward | Mariusz Stępiński | Poland | RTS Widzew Łódź |