Scotland U19
Wikipedia - Scotland national under-19 football team
The Scotland national under-19 football team is the national football team representing Scotland for players of 19 years of age or under at the start of a European Under-19 Football Championship campaign. The team, which is controlled by the Scottish Football Association, acts as a feeder team to the Scotland national football team.
History
Until 2001, the European youth championship was competed for by under-18 teams. The best performance by a Scotland under-18 team was in 1982, when they won the tournament. Beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final, the team was then managed by Andy Roxburgh and Walter Smith, who would both go on to manage the senior side. Scotland defeated rivals England in the qualifying round and finished top of Group 4, which also included the Netherlands. In the semi-finals, Scotland beat Poland 2–0. Scotland also reached the semi-finals of the 1978 tournament, where they lost on penalties to Yugoslavia. Scotland topped Group two – which included Germany and Italy – to qualify for the semi-final, having beaten Denmark in the qualifying round.
During the period of the under-19 format, Scotland qualified for the finals tournament in 2006 when, under the guidance of manager Archie Gemmill and coach Tommy Wilson, they lost 2–1 to Spain in the final. This performance guaranteed Scotland's participation at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup (formerly the World Youth Championships), representing their first appearance for 20 years.
Since 2006, Scotland have not progressed past the elite qualification round of the European under-19 tournaments.
Known for their tenacity, skill, and tactical awareness, the Scotland U19 squad is a blend of promising young athletes from various clubs across Scotland. The team's coaching staff focuses on nurturing individual talents while fostering a strong sense of teamwork and discipline.
Competing in prestigious tournaments such as the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, Scotland U19 aims to not only achieve success on the field but also to instill the values of sportsmanship and resilience in its players. With a passionate fan base and a proud footballing tradition, the Scotland U19 team embodies the spirit of Scottish football, striving to inspire the next generation of players and bring glory to their nation.