The 16th European Under-21 Football Championship was won by the Czech Republic . It was the second victory for the Czechs. Defending champions Italy were eliminated in the semifinals. Germany failed in the qualification. The final round was in the period from 16th to 28. May 2002 in Switzerland held where the visitors to the semifinals penetrated.
All teams entered were divided into nine groups. The group winners and the seven runners-up with the best points reached the round of 16. There the eight participants in the final round were determined in the first and second leg.
The eight finalists will be divided into two groups of four teams each. Within the groups, each team plays once against each other team. The first and second in the group reach the semi-finals. The semi-final winners ultimately play the European champions in the final.
Attendees
The following U-21 national teams had qualified for the tournament: