Euro U19 Championship: (Almost) everything you need to know

The European U19 Championship runs for the rest of July

Michael Lintorn runs through the basics and the best bets of the European U19 Championship...

What is the European U19 Championship?

It is an annual international football tournament showcasing Europe's premier teenage talents. Eight teams compete: the hosts (Hungary) and seven qualifiers (Ukraine, Bulgaria, Israel, Serbia, Germany, Austria and Portugal). They form two groups of four, with the top two in each progressing to the semis.

Who are the likely protagonists?

The U19 scene is devoid of almost any consistency, with five different nations taking the trophy in the last six years and a further four countries reaching finals in that period, while only two of the eight 2013 entrants are back again this year.

Germany won the last time that they participated in 2008 and their squad features several players who have started to establish themselves in the Bundesliga, like Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt and Hertha Berlin's Hany Mukhtar.

Portugal have a distinct Man City flavour in Jorge Intima and Marcos Lopes, while holders Serbia are the other leading contenders.

What should I back on matchday one?

The competition begins on Saturday, with three of the four introductory games live on British Eurosport or - in Hungary and Austria's case - British Eurosport 2:

Portugal U19 v Israel U19 (17:00)

Israel were strong defensively in qualifying, but profited from a kind second-phase draw pitting them against Georgia, Switzerland and Cyprus to make their first finals. By contrast, Portugal are involved for the third year running, and were top scorers in the preliminaries.

Recommended Bet: Back Portugal U19 (-1) to win @ 1.8810/11

Hungary U19 v Austria U19 (17:30)

As the sole side not to earn their spot, the hosts seemingly feel the need to justify their presence with a barnstormer of a curtain-raising performance. Each of the last four engaged in opening contests with over 2.5 goals, with the last three all precisely exactly three times.

Recommended Bet: Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.664/6

Bulgaria U19 v Germany U19 (19:15)

Bulgaria qualified impressively, outshining Sweden, Czech Republic and Italy in the second part of the process, so Germany - who were held by Scotland last October - might find things trickier than is forecast on their first finals appearance in six years.

Recommended Bet: Lay Germany U19 to lead at half time and full time @ 1.84/5