The UEFA Under-19 European Championship reaches a critical juncture as Norway U19 and Türkiye U19 prepare to face off in a high-stakes playoff match. The encounter, scheduled for Thursday at 15:30 UTC at Seaview in Belfast, will determine which nation secures the final UEFA spot for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Both teams find themselves in this position after narrowly missing out on knockout stage qualification in their respective groups. Norway finished third in Group A, while Türkiye ended up in the same position in Group B. Now, they have one last chance to salvage their campaigns and book a ticket to the global stage.
Team News, Injury News and Potential Lineups
Both teams have no reported injury concerns, allowing their respective managers to field their strongest possible lineups.
Potential Norway U19 lineup (4-1-4-1): Borsheim, Kittilsen, Helland, Hernes, Granaas, Holten, Braut, Haram, Bjune, Faraas, Andresen
Potential Türkiye U19 lineup (4-1-3-2): Fidan, Bars, Sarikaya, Uzun, Bayram, Sertkaya, Demircan, Yilmaz, Gezek, Bulbul, Yildirim
Tactical Approach
Norway is expected to stick with the 4-1-4-1 formation that has served them well throughout the tournament. This setup allows them to maintain a solid defensive shape while also providing support for their lone striker, Braut.
Türkiye, meanwhile, is likely to employ a more attack-minded 4-1-3-2 formation. This approach has yielded mixed results so far, with the team scoring five goals but also conceding six in their three group matches.
Form and Recent Performances
Norway U19 comes into this match on the back of a solid group stage showing. They kicked off their campaign with a narrow 2-1 loss to Italy before bouncing back with a goalless draw against Ukraine. In their final group game, the Norwegians secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland, courtesy of a Daniel Braut brace.
Türkiye U19, on the other hand, had a more turbulent group stage experience. They began with a 2-1 defeat to France, followed by a 1-1 draw with Spain. Their final match against Denmark was a six-goal thriller that ended 3-3, showcasing both their attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities.
Key Players to Watch
For Norway, all eyes will be on striker Daniel Braut, who leads the tournament’s scoring charts with three goals. His clinical finishing could prove decisive in this winner-takes-all encounter. Midfielder Eivind Helland, who captains the side, will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game from his deep-lying position.
Türkiye’s hopes rest heavily on the shoulders of their dynamic attacking duo. PSV Eindhoven winger Emir Bars and Trabzonspor forward Poyraz Yildirim were instrumental in their team’s 3-3 draw with Denmark, each contributing a goal and an assist. Their ability to create and convert chances will be key to Türkiye’s success.
Head-to-Head and Historical Context
These two nations have crossed paths only twice before at the U19 level. Their first encounter came in a 2010 Euros qualifier, where Türkiye emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline. Norway exacted revenge three years later in a friendly match, winning 3-2.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch the action live on UEFA.tv, the official streaming platform for UEFA competitions. Additionally, the match will be available on ViX in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Norway U19 vs Türkiye U19 Live Stream and TV Schedule for Countries:
- Germany: DAZN Germany
- Portugal: RTP Play
- Poland: sport.tvp.pl, TVP Sport App
- Switzerland: DAZN Switzerland
Prediction and Predicted Score
Given Norway’s more solid defensive record and Türkiye’s flair for the dramatic, this match promises to be a tightly contested affair. Norway’s organization and clinical finishing could give them a slight edge, but Türkiye’s attacking talent means they can never be counted out.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, with a place in the U-20 World Cup on the line. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, and it may well come down to which side can hold their nerve in this pressure-cooker situation.
Norway U19 vs Türkiye U19 Prediction: Norway U19 1-1 Türkiye U19 (Türkiye to win on penalties)
Regardless of the outcome, this match represents a golden opportunity for these young players to showcase their talents on a significant stage and take a crucial step in their burgeoning careers.
Also Read: