The split tournament kicks off on Wednesday, with a number of the continent's wonderkids set to strut their stuff in Hungary and Slovenia
On Wednesday, the group stages of the 2021 Under-21 European Championship will get under way, with a number of the world's top young footballers set to feature.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the competition has been split, with the group games being played in March before the knockout rounds take place at the end of the European season, ahead of the the delayed Euro 2020 finals.
Hungary and Slovenia are sharing hosting duties, with 16 teams set to do battle over the next week in a bid to earn a place in the quarter-finals.
But who are the youngest players in the competition, and why could they provide the most excitement?
Goal takes a look at the NXGN-eligible players who will be on show during the tournament…
GettyBrian Brobbey (Netherlands)
Age: 19
Club: Ajax
Having been likened to Romelu Lukaku from an early age, Brobbey is making good on his potential having recently broken into the Ajax first team.
The striker has scored five goals in his first 13 appearances for Erik ten Hag's side, though his time at the Johan Cruyff ArenA is coming to an end having agreed a deal to join RB Leipzig at the end of the current campaign.
A handful for centre-backs of any age, the Euros offers him his first opportunity to make his mark at U21 level for the national side.
AdvertisementGettyEduardo Camavinga (France)
Age: 18
Club: Rennes
Back at the start of the season, many would have expected Camavinga to be challenging for a place in France's senior squad, so strong were his performances for both Rennes and Didier Deschamps' side, for whom he scored his first goal in the autumn.
The first real slump in form of his career, however, means that he finds himself with the U21s for now, and this year's NXGN runner-up heads into tournament as one of the star attractions, despite the likelihood that he could be facing players up to five years his senior.
Camavinga could yet make France's squad for the senior Euros with a strong end to the season, and performing well in Hungary and Slovenia would do his chances of a promotion no harm.
GettyLorenzo Colombo (Italy)
Age: 19
Club: AC Milan
Seen as a future star of the Rossoneri, Colombo has already played and scored for the Milan first team, though he is currently spending the second half of the season on loan with Serie B outfit Cremonese.
A striker with a rocket of a left foot, less than two years ago he was scoring a brace in the final of the U17s European Championship, though Italy eventually lost out to the Netherlands.
A late call-up for this tournament, he could yet make an impact off the bench, with the likes of Patrick Cutrone and Gianluca Scamacca set to lead the line from the start.
Getty ImagesFrancisco 'Chico' Conceicao (Portugal)
Age: 18
Club: Porto
The son of Porto manager Sergio Conceicao, Chico has been making waves in Portugal in recent weeks despite only making his first-team debut in February.
That debut against Boavista almost had a fairy-tale ending after substitute Conceicao, having already won a penalty, looked to have laid on a stoppage-time winner, only for the wild celebrations with his father that followed to be cut short by an offside flag.
The following week he was named Man of the Match despite only being on the pitch for 24 minutes against Maritimo, with the winger – who is left-footed but plays off the right – proving to be nightmare for defenders with his quick feet and fearless style.
