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

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 yesterday 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 Holland 5-4 in a thriller to advance 7-4 and Denmark overcame Iceland on away goals after a 1-1 draw.

U-21 results

Play-offs, second legs: Italy vs Slovakia 3-1 (agg: 4-2); Croatia vs England 1-2 (agg: 2-4); Germany vs Ukraine 2-0 (agg: 5-0); Portugal vs Netherlands 5-4 (agg: 7-4); Spain vs Serbia 1-2 (agg: 1-2); Iceland vs Denmark 1-1 (agg: 1-1; Denmark through on aways goals ); Sweden vs France 4-1 (agg: 4-3).

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