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Spain fail to qualify for European Under-21 Championship

Spain will not defend their European Under-21 Championship title in the Czech Republic next summer after they were beaten in the qualification playoffs by Serbia.

The Spaniards had won the tournament in 2011 and 2013 but, after a goalless draw in the first leg in Serbia, they lost 2-1 in Cadiz on Tuesday night and will miss out on the showpiece next summer.

A Jose Gaya own goal had given Serbia a vital away goal in the first half before Sergi Roberto and Filip Kostic traded goals in stoppage time.

England will join Serbia and the hosts next summer after they beat Croatia 4-2 on aggregate with Italy completing a 4-2 win over Slovakia over two legs.

Germany won 2-0 on the night to see off Ukraine 5-0 on aggregate, Portugal beat Netherlands 5-4 in a thriller to advance 7-4 and Denmark overcame Iceland on away goals after a 1-1 draw.

Sweden claimed the final spot available in the eight-team tournament as they overturned a 2-0 deficit from the first leg of their tie against France to advance 4-3, with Isaac Thelin and Oscar Lewicki both scoring twice in Halmstad.