It’d be fair to say that despite the occasional theatrics, the last year hasn’t been a thrilling one for Sky Sports customers. The Premier League quickly became a procession as a strong Chelsea side cantered to the title and few surprises were sprung in the other major sporting tournaments broadcast on Sky.
Of course, it’s not all about the drama, but a good, evolving story is what keeps us coming back to services like Sky Sports, and keeps us from choosing to contact Sky and cancel our pricey Sky Sports passes or subscriptions.
That’s why Sky have excited to announce that they’ve landed EUFA’s Under-21 Championship 2017 to their ‘biggest ever’ summer of sport. The tournament involves Europe’s very best young players and kicks off live on Sky Sports on the 16th of June, culminating with the final from Krakow on the 30th of June.
The Championship is Sky’s latest ploy to win back a little European credibility after BT Sport won the rights to the Champions League and Europa League a few years ago. Though less prestigious than either of those tournaments, the EUFA Under-21 Championship is still a coup for the channel, and is good news, with the deal lasting through to 2021.
This year, hosts Poland are in the same group as England, along with Slovakia and current title holders Sweden. PFA Young Player of the Year nominee Jordan Pickford, Everton’s Tom Davies and Leicester’s Demarai Gray are amongst those in contention to play for England.
Over recent years, current Premier League stars like Jesse Lingard, Harry Kane, John Stones, Jack Butland and Michael Keane have all featured for England, and a new crop of stars will be hoping to impress both club and country, before (hopefully), winning full England caps of their own.
Last time around, England lost out in the group stages, so Aidy Boothroyd’s men will be keen to progress further this time.
Sky Sports Head of Football Gary Hughes said: “The UEFA Under-21 Championship™ 2017 strengthens our football offering for fans. The tournament unearths future greats and is incredibly difficult to predict which makes it such an exciting proposition. Who will be the next Harry Kane, can England win their first title since 1984? Sky Sports is the only place to find out.”
The EUFA Under-21 Championship kicks off following the end of the domestic seasons around the world, but it’ll soon be joined by the likes of of the Premier League Asia Trophy and the first-ever Star Sixes tournament in London.
The Star Sixes format pits former stars like Steven Gerrard, Deco, Roberto Carlos, Michael Ballack and other stars in a six-a-side format, which will be broadcast live on Sky.