Marco Asensio Saul Niguez Spain Under-21Getty Images

Germany Under-21 vs Spain Under-21: TV channel, stream, kick-off time, odds & match preview

Spain will be chasing a record-equalling fifth UEFA Under-21 Championship title when they face Germany in at Krakow Stadium on Friday.

A hat-trick from Atletico Madrid playmaker Saul Niguez propelled La Roja past five-time winners Italy without fuss in the semi-final to set up the decider against Stefan Kuntz's side.

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Germany booked their place in the final thanks to a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over perennial rivals England, with goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck saving two spot-kicks after the game finished 2-2 in normal time.

Game Germany Under-21 vs Spain Under-21
Date Friday, June 30
Time 19:45 BST, 14:45 ET

TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM


Julian Pollersbeck Germany England Under 21 27062017

In the UK, the match will be available to watch live on television on Sky Sports 1 and by stream via Sky Go.

UK TV channelOnline stream
Sky Sports 1Sky Go

In the US, the match will be available to watch live on television on ESPNU (or ESPN Deportes in Spanish) and by stream via WatchESPN.

US TV channelOnline stream
ESPNU / ESPN DeportesWatchESPN

UEFA have also confirmed that fans all over the world will be able to to watch the game online at UEFA.com in territories not covered by a broadcast deal.


SQUADS & TEAM NEWS


PositionGermany players
Goalkeepers Schwabe, Pollersbeck, Vlachodimos
Defenders Toljan, Gerhardt, Anton, Stark, Jung, Klunter, Kempf, Kehrer
Midfielders Meyer, Dahoud, Arnold, Weiser, Amiri, Haberer, Oztunali, Kohr
Forwards Selke, Gnabry, Platte, Philipp

Germany boast a number of senior internationals in their ranks, with the likes of Schalke midfielder Max Meyer and Werder Bremen forward Serge Gnabry undoubtedly among their key players.

Kuntz has a number of fitness concerns ahead of the final, with Davie Selke sustaining a slight knock against England and defender Niklas Stark missing the semi-final due to a neck injury. However, the coach is hopeful that both will be available for selection.

Potential starting XI: Pollersbeck; Toljan, Jung, Kempf, Gerhardt; Haberer; Philipp, Meyer, Arnold, Gnabry; Selke.

PositionSpain players
Goalkeepers Arrizabalaga, Blanco, Lopez
Defenders Bellerin, Gaya, Mere, Vallejo, Jonny, Odriozola, Gonzalez
Midfielders Ceballos, Saul, Suarez, Asensio, Morino, Oyarzabal, Soler, Hernandez, Llorente
Forwards Deulofeu, Mayoral, Ramirez, Wiliams

Like Germany, the Spain squad is littered with full internationals who have experience of playing at the highest levels. Saul is the tournament's top scorer following his hat-trick against Italy, while Real Madrid's Marco Asensio is close behind after hitting three goals in their tournament opener against Macedonia.

Albert Celades employs an attacking 4-3-3 formation and Saul and Asensio are ably supported by the likes of Gerard Deulofeu and flying Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin.

The Spanish coach is likely to stick with the same line-up that easily saw off Italy but he could call upon Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez, who impressed in the final group game against Serbia, in order to shore up the midfield.

Potential starting XI: Arrizabalaga; Bellerin, Mere, Vallejo, Jonny; Ceballos, Llorente, Saul; Deulofeu, Ramirez, Asensio.


BETTING & GAME ODDS


Saul Niguez Spain U21 vs Italy

Spain are 19/20 favourites to win the final, according to Oddschecker, with Germany priced at 37/10 to come out on top. The draw through 90 minutes is given at 72/25.

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La Roja's Sandro Ramirez and Borja Mayoral are 7/2 for first goalscorer, while Gnabry and Germany's top goalscorer Selke are both priced at 15/2 to open the scoring.


GAME PREVIEW


Max Meyer Serge Gnabry Germany U-21

While Spain roared their way to the final with four victories, bagging 12 goals and conceding just two, Germany have been less impressive, sufffering defeat against Italy and only managing to draw in normal time with England in the semi-final.

However, the Germans have shown tremendous cohesion throughout the tournament, something that was particularly evident when they overcame the Three Lions on penalties. "I told the players after the game that I was proud of them," said head coach Stefan Kuntz afterwards. "They showed everyone who loves football back home, what team spirit means."

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They apply a patient approach, building play from the back, while also utilising a direct style when necessary. Selke is a powerful forward who has the ability to unsettle defenders, while Meyer and Gnabry have the keys to unlock the opposition.

Nevertheless, Albert Celades' Spain are a formidable team, whose performances as a unit have helped fuel optimism that La Roja could soon be on their way back to the top of world football.

Led by the exciting Gerard Deulofeu, they are able to call upon a vast array of attacking talent, with Saul and Marco Asensio bagging themselves a hat-trick each in this tournament, while Sandro Ramirez, Denis Suarez and Inaki Williams have also contributed goals.

"I did not have the opportunity to be in the previous European Championship and we are in the final," Deulofeu said on Thursday. "We have come to win, we want to lift the trophy tomorrow.

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"I am more mature, I have improved a lot and it is reflected in the field. I'll try to help the team and be a team player more.

"We are in the final that so many wanted to be in. We have to win, the team is together and in good moment, it will be a great game."

Teams that are traditionally top-heavy when it comes to attack tend to have weaknesses at the back, but Spain boast the best defensive record at this tournament too, with the likes of Jorge Mere, Hector Bellerin and Marcos Llorente doing a great job of stifling opponents.

Indeed, despite not coming up against as much difficulty as Germany en route to the final, the Spanish team are a tight unit and determined to succeed. "We're in the final and want to win it," said Celades. "It's a good ambition and the players are on the same wavelength. They all try to help and that is a gift for the technical staff."

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