Home advantage, unfinished business and history on the line. The ingredients are all in place for a captivating Under 19 Boys Team competition at the 2026 European Youth Championships in Gondomar. Portugal will look to turn last year’s silver medal into gold in front of their own supporters, but standing in their way is defending champion Romania, a team seeking an unprecedented fifth consecutive European title. With France, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and several other contenders fielding strong line-ups, the fight for the crown promises to be one of the most competitive events of the Championships.
Last year in Ostrava, Romania completed a dramatic campaign by defeating Portugal in a thrilling final to secure a fourth consecutive European title. The triumph matched the four-title winning streaks previously achieved by Germany (1995–1998) and the Soviet Union (1975–1978), leaving only France’s record of five straight championships standing above them.
Despite being seeded only fifth in 2025 and introducing several new faces, Romania once again proved their championship pedigree. Led by Iulian CHIRITA alongside Dragoș BUJOR, Robert Alexandru ISTRATE and Luka OPREA, they navigated a demanding knockout draw before edging Portugal in one of the most memorable finals of recent years.
Romania have now remained unbeaten in the Under 19 Boys Team event since Belgrade 2022 and will be determined to make history in Gondomar by capturing an unprecedented fifth consecutive title.
This year, however, the challenge looks stronger than ever.
Top seeds France arrive with Nathan DOUSSINET, Nathan LAM, Antoine NOIRAULT and Nathan PILARD, while second seeds Poland field a talented squad led by Marcel BLASZCZYK, Samuel MICHNA, Jan MRUGALA Mateusz SAKOWICZ and Patryk ZYWORONEK.
Slovakia, bronze medallists a year ago, return as the third seeds with Damian FLORO, Samuel ARPAS, Pavol KOKAVEC and Jakub HOLUBCIK once again leading their challenge, while Spain complete the top four seeds.
Defending champions Romania begin this year’s event seeded ninth, with Robert ISTRATE now leading a new generation that also includes Mihai NAGY, Robert PODAR, Andrei TIBIRNA and Luca TRASCU. They will once again rely on their trademark fighting spirit as they attempt to continue an extraordinary winning run.
Hosts Portugal, seeded tenth, will also attract plenty of attention. After reaching their first-ever Under 19 Boys Team final last year, Tiago ABIODUN returns to spearhead another ambitious squad, joined by Guilherme CARDOSO, Carlos GONÇALVES, Lourenço SARDINHA and Dinis YE. Playing in front of home fans, Portugal will be eager to take one step further after last year’s silver medal.
Several other nations look capable of mounting a serious challenge. Italy, led by Danilo FASO, Hungary with Balázs LEI, Austria featuring Julian RZIHAUSCHEK, Belgium with Matt CLOSSET, Sweden, Czechia and Switzerland all possess the quality to upset the favourites, while Germany, despite starting from Stage 2, will also be looking to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite.
With established stars, emerging talents and a packed field of ambitious teams, Gondomar promises another unforgettable chapter in the rich history of the European Youth Championships. Whether Romania can complete a historic five-title streak or a new champion emerges will be one of the biggest stories of the week.
