Should I talk to him about it or just give him space?

Calmly ask yourself why you are pressuring him so much to spend this day with you? It reads like you are putting more energy into his birthday than he is and that's a sign that you've become way more committed to this relationship than he has.

What's wrong with providing him with some space?

If HIS idea of a cool Bday is pounding suds and watching euro ball or MMA with loud drunken friends then let it be. Just offer to be a driver if they need one if you REALLY want to be his friend.

It's sort of like the old song "hold on loosely but don't let go because if you cling too tightly you're going to lose control"

Give him some space and check in mid day to see if they need more pizza or wings? Then you're adding to the partay rather than being central to the partay. It's HIS Bday after all.

Good luck

You need to realize that it's his birthday. And for the most part, birthdays aren't all that important to guys or anyone that gets older. You're making it into more of a big deal then it really is. If it was your birthday, it would be different, because it's your day. But it's his birthday and if he wants to watch the Euro Cup, then let him. It's not like that it is on all the time. Hang out with him on Friday. It's not that he doesn't care about you. But you're making his birthday more of a big deal then he is.

Listen I think that since it is his birthday you should say that you were hoping to spend it together but if he really wants to hang out with his friends then he can. See this will make him think wow I guess she really understands me. or you could ask yourself this. Would you rather have him on fri. OR would you want him to go clubbin?!