Ulandslag

Ulandslag is a term used in several Nordic languages to denote a national team composed of players below a specified age, functioning as a development or reserve side for the senior national team. The "U" stands for "under," and "landslag" means national team. The designation is most common in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and to a lesser extent Finland and Iceland, and it appears across multiple sports, including football (soccer), ice hockey, handball, basketball, and volleyball.

Age limits vary by sport and federation but are typically under 21 or under 23, with some sports using other thresholds such as under 19. The U-lag serves as a pipeline for talent, giving younger players international experience, testing coaches and systems, and providing a pathway to the full national team. Selection is carried out by the sport's national federation and is usually based on performance in domestic leagues, youth national championships, and international eligibility.

Competition for U-landslag teams includes age-restricted championships and friendlies. In football, for example, U-21 teams compete in regional European championships; in ice hockey, U-20 teams participate in the World Junior Championship. Many federations also arrange U-landslag matches to bridge the gap between youth national teams and the senior squad.

Because the usage and naming can differ by sport and country, the term "U-landslag" is not strictly standardized. Some federations prefer "U-xx national team" or "development team" labels for analogous squads.

See also: National team, Youth development in sport, Under-21 Championship.