The race to join the Czech Republic in next summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship had a memorable denouement on Tuesday, a night of late drama, nine-goal thrillers and a huge shock as Spain's four-year reign ended.

Serbia did the damage in a 2-1 win in Spain that saw two added-time strikes, and there were two more in Iceland where, after 180 scoreless minutes, Denmark edged through on away goals. Germany, Italy and England enjoyed varying degrees of comfort; Portugal, too, after a remarkable 5-4 second-leg victory against the Netherlands. There was more drama in the late game as Sweden overturned a 2-0 first-leg defeat by France, a goal two minutes from time taking them through.

Finals pedigree (best performance; last finals appearance)

Czech Republic (hosts) – winners in 2002; fourth in 2011

Denmark – semi-finals in 1992; group stage in 2011

England – winners in 1984, 1982; group stage in 2013

Germany – winners in 2009; group stage in 2013

Italy – winners in 2004, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992; runners-up in 2013

Portugal – runners-up in 1994; third in 2007

Serbia – winners in 1978*; group stage in 2009

Sweden – runners-up in 1992; semi-finals in 2007

Key dates

The finals draw (full details here) takes place in Prague on Thursday 6 November, when the eight teams will be split into two groups of four. The finals – the Czech Republic's first at U21 level – will be played from 17 to 30 June 2015, with matches to be held in Prague, Olomouc and Uherske Hradiste. Pavel Nedvěd is the tournament ambassador.

*As part of Yugoslavia; as an independent nation, Serbia were runners-up in 2007