Sixteen European teams qualified over the weekend for next year’s Junior World Cup competitions following the completion of the various EuroHockey U21 Championships around the continent.
For both men and women, eight places at the expanded 2025 editions of the World Cup – now featuring 24 nations – were up for grabs.
Six each were available at the EuroHockey U21 Championship in Spain while the remaining two per gender were on offer for the winners of the U21 Championship II-A and II-B events.
It meant that every match mattered across five different venues across a week of intense action.
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On the men’s side, eventual champions Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany all won through to the semi-finals to confirm their place on the qualifier list.
That left all to play for in a cut-throat Pool C which determines ranking fifth to eighth place.
There, England ran up a vital win over France and then defeated Türkiye to land fifth spot; their group stage had seen them draw with Spain and lose to the Dutch by a single goal, showing the incredibly fine margins on display.
Captain Max Anderson reflected that sentiment when the World Cup spot looked in sight for this team: “We came into the tournament with a great preparation camp and were very confident but so were all the other teams. Everyone was fit, technically and tactically ready. It’s been an exciting tournament and I am sure it has been great for the audience.”
That left a straight showdown between the French – runners-up in Kuala Lumpur last year – fighting with Ireland for the sixth and final spot available at this venue.
They prevailed 4-1 with a late flurry of goals; Erwan Brodt was thrilled to land the ticket: “Going back to the World Cup was one of the main goals for us; it’s for the younger players and gives them a really great experience. It’s a really hard competition!”
They will be joined by Switzerland who qualified for the very first time as they won EuroHockey U21 Championship II-B in Lausanne. They finished top of a five-team group, a draw against runners-up Scotland on the final day getting them over the line.
Austria won II-A in spectacular style with five wins out of five, keeping them five points clear of Poland and Italy in Walcz, to stamp their pass to next year’s showcase event.
| 2024 EuroHockey U21 Championship | Terrassa, Spain |  Belgium England France Germany Netherlands Spain |
| 2024 EuroHockey U21 Championship II-A | Walcz, Poland |  Austria |
| 2024 EuroHockey U21 Championship II-B | Lausanne, Switzerland |  Switzerland |
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On the women’s side, the top division saw winners the Netherlands, runners-up Spain, bronze medalists England and Germany all made it through from the preliminary rounds.
Belgium joined the party when they got the better of Ireland and Austria. They had only missed out on the semi-finals to a last minute Spanish goal and thus top scorer Astrid Bonami hailed her side’s mental toughness.
“Going back to the World Cup was one of the main goals for us; it’s for the younger players and gives them a really great experience. It’s a really hard competition but, for Belgium, we must always qualify for the World Cup.”
Ireland, meanwhile, scored two late goals to beat France to finish sixth overall and complete the qualifiers from Terrassa.
For Ali Griffin, this was her last underage international tournament but she could not think of a better way to sign off: “I remember how grateful I was to the older girls two years ago who kept us up [in Europe’s top division] so I hope they all appreciate they now are going to a World Cup and I am sure they will do amazing.”
In Rakovnik, Czechia, Wales won a place at the Junior World Cup for a third appearance as they took the laurels from a 3-2 thriller in the final of II-A against the host nation.
From the second tier competitions, Scotland shone in Konya, Türkiye, winning all four of their matches including a vital 1-0 final win over Ukraine to Championship II-B. it will be their first appearance at the Junior World Cup since 2005.
Head Coach Jimmy Culnane said, “I’m very proud of the players. I’m proud of their diligence, not just over this week, but over the months leading up to the tournament. A lot of hard work has gone into this tournament and the players stepped up to a new level and deserve all the success they’ve just achieved.”
| 2024 EuroHockey U21 Championship | Terrassa, Spain | Belgium England Germany Ireland Netherlands Spain |
| 2024 EuroHockey U21 Championship II-A | Rakovnik, Czechia |  Wales |
| 2024 EuroHockey U21 Championship II-B | Konya, Türkiye |  Scotland |
