The President of the Irish Football Association, Conrad Kirkwood, has urged football fans across Northern Ireland to attend the final of UEFA U19 Euro 2024 in Belfast.
Spain and France will contest the Under-19 Men’s European Championship decider at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Sunday (28 July) at 7pm.
And Kirkwood insists the final will be “a brilliant spectacle” for football fans of all ages.
The Irish FA, which is hosting U19 Euro 2024 along with UEFA, is delighted with the support already given to the eight-team tournament, which has produced some excellent action-packed games to date.
Ticket sales for Sunday’s final have almost reached 6,000, while ticket sales for the overall tournament currently stand at 25,500.
The Irish FA President said: “This is the very top, elite end of European football at this age group.
“If you look at the players who have graced this tournament in the past, from Fernando Torres to Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, there is a high likelihood that many of the players taking part in Sunday’s final will be gracing International football in the next few years.
“This is a chance to see them up close and personal for the first time.”
Kirkwood, who hosted delegates from UEFA along with Irish FA staff members at the official function for the tournament last week, said both UEFA and the association are pleased with how U19 Euro 2024 has panned out in Northern Ireland.
He pointed out: “We have seen great games and great goals, and it has been great to showcase Northern Ireland to a European and global audience.
“The volunteers have been superb, as have our organising staff, as they always are, and it has been a wonderful experience to be a part of.
“The message from me is clear: if you are a football fan and want to bring your family to a brilliant spectacle then please head to our National Stadium this Sunday. You won’t be disappointed.”
For highlights of the action so far go to the UEFA Under-19 section on uefa.com.
To buy tickets to the U19 Euros final between Spain and France go to irishfa.com/u19euro.
Image: France captain Valentin Atangana celebrates his goal against Ukraine in the U19 Euros semi-final. France, who defeated the Ukrainians 1-0, will meet Spain in Sunday’s final. The Spanish defeated Italy 1-0 (AET) in the last four to reach the decider.
