The 1972 UEFA European Under-23 Championship, which spanned two years (1970–72) had 22 entrants. Czechoslovakia U-23s won the competition.
The 22 national teams were divided into eight groups. The group winners played off against each other on a two-legged home-and-away basis until the winner was decided. There was no finals tournament or 3rd-place playoff.
Czechoslovakia qualify as group winners
Bulgaria qualify as group winners
Greece qualify as group winners
Soviet Union qualify as group winners