Turkey U19svs.Denmark U19s

While Turkey can still progress to the knockout phase if they win in Belfast and Spain lose to France, the Danes are still pointless after back-to-back defeats.

Match preview

After conceding a late goal in their opening loss to France, it was essential that Turkey got off the mark at this year's Under-19 Euros on Friday night, when they took on Spain at Seaview Stadium.

Soykan Basar's side started positively but could not find a way through the Spanish defence, and when Valencia star Yarek Gasiorowski's headed in from a 55th-minute corner, it seemed they were destined for another defeat.

A last-gasp finish from Fahri Ay kept them in contention for a top-two finish in Group B, though, and took their fight for a place in the semi-finals down to the final day.

Appearing at UEFA's Under-19 tournament for the first time since finishing runners-up to Spain in 2004, Turkey can still overtake La Rojita by winning on Monday - but only if France help them out.

With their head-to-head record against Spain all square, overall goal difference would then be the deciding factor as to which team goes through to the final four.

Like Turkey, Denmark can still take the consolation prize of a third-placed finish, which would see them qualify for an Under-20 World Cup playoff, so there will be no lack of motivation despite the fact they are already out of the Euros.

Competing at their first finals, a groundbreaking Danish squad negotiated two stages of qualifying to make it to Northern Ireland, but a tough group draw has not helped their hopes of a successful debut.

Following an opening defeat to Spain, Morten Eskesen's side were pitched against an impressive France side on Friday evening, and they found themselves trailing by four goals heading into the final five minutes.

Though Cornelius Olsson and Alexander Simmelhack both scored late on, a 4-2 loss ended Danish dreams of making the knockout phase, leaving them rock-bottom of the group table.

Only a playoff against the third-placed finishers in Group A will be up for grabs on Monday, when victory would keep the Danes in contention for a place at next year's Under-20 finals in Chile.

Turkey Under-19s European Under-19s Championship form:

L

D

Denmark Under-19s European Under-19s Championship form:

L

L

Team News

In the absence of Turkey's top scorer in qualifying - Semih Kilicsoy, who was on senior duty this summer at Euro 2024 - Trabzonspor striker Poyraz Yildirim should again partner Emirhan Demircan at Seaview.

PSV winger Emir Bars and Antalyaspor's Emre Uzun are key figures in the creative department, while midfielder Fahri Ay will be hoping his late leveller against Spain can win him a place in the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Denmark boss Morten Eskesen is set to retain Alexander Simmelhack up front, with support from Midtjylland midfielder Valdemar Andreasen, who was the Danes' leading scorer in qualifying with five goals.

Brothers Emil Hojlund and Oscar Hojlund - younger siblings of Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund - both withdrew from the squad before completing moves to Germany for next season.

Further restricting Eskesen's options, Brondby kept both Noah Nartey and Clement Bischoff at home due to the Danish Superliga's big kickoff this weekend.

Turkey Under-19s possible starting lineup:

Bayram; Bulbul, Sarikaya, Fidan, Yilmaz; Sertkaya; Dagdeviren, Uzun, Bars; Yildirim, Demircan

Denmark Under-19s possible starting lineup:

Andresen; Hogsberg, Vraa-Jensen, Nielsen, Lauritsen; Bomholt, Boesen, Jorgensen; Gogorza, Simmelhack, Andreasen

We say: Turkey Under-19s 2-1 Denmark Under-19s

Turkey will certainly fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet, having found the net in 11 of their last 12 matches, while Denmark's defence has leaked six goals already.

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