What happens behind the scenes at the Under-19 Euros?

Northern Ireland Under 19's manager Gareth McAuley

"Everyone's buzzing, everyone's just really close."

The Uefa European Under-19 Championship is taking place and according to one of Northern Ireland's young stars it has been an "unreal experience".

"It's a good group," Derry City's Conor Barr told BBC News NI.

"We're proud to be representing our nation and doing it as a host. It's really, really good."

Northern Ireland drew 0-0 with Ukraine in their opening match at Inver Park on Monday, but manager Gareth McAuley said his players remain confident about their prospects.

"They felt a little bit deflated really after the Ukraine game because of the standards they have set themselves and where they want to be and where they want to get to," he continued.

"But that'll change around."

Lessons to learn

Graham Fitzgerald believes it is an opportunity to get experience of hosting international tournaments

Graham Fitzgerald, chief operating officer at the Irish Football Association (IFA), said hosting the tournament had been years in the making.

"This has been the daily task really for the last two years, and of course the next two weeks it will consume our time 100%," he outlined.

"It is a wonderful opportunity," he added.

"It's a catalyst for us to get experience of hosting international tournaments."

"We've got this and then we've got the women's under 17s in 2026, we've got the senior men's Euros in 2028 and then in 2030 is our 150th anniversary."

Malcolm Roberts is Team Liaison Officer for Norway

Malcolm Roberts is one of eight Team Liaison Officers (TLO) working at the tournament.

He acts as the go-between for the Norway team and the organisers.

"We sort the meals, travel and ensure everything is in place. We look at issues," he said.

"I brought up my guitar for the Norway goalkeeper coach... they recorded a song with the players to build up morale.

"It can be intense but it is a great deal of fun."

Spanish youngsters 'bouncing'

Some of the brightest up-and-coming football stars from across Europe are taking part in the games.

Spain's Under-19 team were in Belfast when their senior men's team beat England to clinch Euro 2024 on Sunday.

"There was a lot of congratulations to the Spanish Under-19s on the Monday morning of what their seniors did on the Sunday night," Mr Fitzgerald told BBC News NI.

"I saw them get on their bus to go to training on the Monday morning and they certainly all look like they have an extra spring in their step."

'Unreal experience'

Northern Ireland right back Conor Barr

The men's tournament was last held in Northern Ireland in 2005.

"It's class. It's an unreal experience, just to be in about the Euros and in the squad," Conor Barr told BBC News NI.

"It's a surreal experience, but you just have to soak it up and take it in your stride."