UEFA u21 Football Championship

[d_phaneuf]

in Denmark this year

Germany are the defending champions having beaten England in the 2009 final. Although much of that team are now senior players (Ozil etc.)

In terms of teams who have won at lower levels and have players moving up to u21, England won the u17 title last year, France won the u20 last year

rosters should be coming out this week, should be a good tournament

[d_phaneuf]

The England team, no Wilshere or Carroll who were both eligible. And Micah Richards may have to pull out with injury.

Keepers: Fielding (Derby), Steele (Middlesbrough), McCarthy (Reading).

Defenders: Bertrand (Chelsea), Gibbs (Arsenal), Jones (Blackburn), Mancienne (Chelsea), Richards (Man City), Smalling (Man Utd), Walker (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Albrighton (Aston Villa), Cork (Chelsea), Cleverley (Man Utd), Henderson (Sunderland), Lansbury (Arsenal), Muamba (Bolton), Rodwell (Everton), Rose (Tottenham).

Forwards: Sinclair (Swansea), Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Sturridge (Chelsea), Welbeck (Man Utd), Wickham (Ipswich).


I think it's a very strong side even without the anointed greatest midfielder ever missing out

[SuperMatt18]

Weird to see no Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, etc in the final groupings of a major(ish) tournament.

Group A

Team
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Denmark.svg/22px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png Denmark (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark_national_under-21_football_team)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Flag_of_Switzerland.svg/20px-Flag_of_Switzerland.svg.png Switzerland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland_national_under-21_football_team)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Flag_of_Iceland.svg/22px-Flag_of_Iceland.svg.png Iceland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland_national_under-21_football_team)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Flag_of_Belarus.svg/22px-Flag_of_Belarus.svg.png Belarus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarus_national_under-21_football_team)

Group B
Team
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Flag_of_England.svg/22px-Flag_of_England.svg.png England (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_national_under-21_football_team)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Flag_of_Ukraine.svg/22px-Flag_of_Ukraine.svg.png Ukraine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine_national_under-21_football_team)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Spain.svg/22px-Flag_of_Spain.svg.png Spain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain_national_under-21_football_team)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg.png Czech Republic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Republic_national_under-21_football_team)




Should be England's tournament to take, I have a feeling Sturridge will be the Standout player of the tournament.

[d_phaneuf]

I think for a u21 tournament it's a strong side

Sturridge and Welbeck both looked more than capable in the league this year

midfield should be very strong, 4 very capable CM's in Rodwell/Henderson/Cleverley/Muamba. And good wingers in Albrighton and Rose

defense as well should be solid, especially if Richards is available to play

with Carroll and Wilshere they would have been heavy favorites though, still think it has a good shot

I expect big tournaments from Sturridge and Henderson especially

[d_phaneuf]

Weird to see no Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, etc in the final groupings of a major(ish) tournament.


ya with only 8 slots in the finals, and so much turnover on certain teams there are bound to be a few surprise teams missing

the German team that won in 2009 was led by Ozil, Neuer, and Khedira who are all first choice on the senior team. Thomas Muller wasn't even 'good enough' to make that side

England have 5 hold overs from the 09 final. Muamba, Gibbs, Richards, Mancienne, and Rodwell

[Locke]

Lame, I have no one to cheer for.

I would enjoy seeing either the Czechs, Danes or Swiss do well.

[chris_yk]

Lookin forward to this tournament, obviously I'll be keeping an eye on Henderson and Welbeck's performances, also be watching for Denmark and especially Iceland's results. Awesome to see them in a major tournament, and they beat England in a friendly recently. Look for Gylfi Sigurdsson of Hoffenheim, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson of Alkmaar and Arnor Smarason of Esbjerg to have big tournaments.

[d_phaneuf]

England won a friendly tune up game 2-0 against Norway today

Xbn_iDY552M

[Resolute 14]

It'll never happen, but I'd love to see a Belarus-Ukraine final.

[d_phaneuf]

England U21: Fielding; Walker Smalling Jones Bertrand; Cleverley Henderson Mancienne Rose; Welbeck; Sturridge

dono why Rodwell isn't starting

[KTown]

Got all the Czech games setup on the PVR. Should be entertaining. Looking to see if the Czechs have some good youth coming up as the senior squad is having some struggles.

[Resolute 14]

So how exactly are 22-year-olds playing in a U21 tournament?

[d_phaneuf]

So how exactly are 22-year-olds playing in a U21 tournament?

they have to meet the age on the date that qualifying for the tournament starts, so you dont have a situation where someone helps the team qualify but then isn't able to play in the actual tournament

[d_phaneuf]

nice comeback by England today, Pierce put out what I thought was a lineup without 2 of their best players

I would have Rodwell and Albrighton or Lansbury instead of Mancienne and Cleverley

and Spain dominated much of the game

but a great set up by Walker for a nice finish by Welbeck

think it could have been a possible finals preview

[Resolute 14]

they have to meet the age on the date that qualifying for the tournament starts, so you dont have a situation where someone helps the team qualify but then isn't able to play in the actual tournament

Makes sense, but that means there was two years of qualifying for this as well then?

Bizarre.

[d_phaneuf]

Makes sense, but that means there was two years of qualifying for this as well then?

Bizarre.

they have the tournament every 2 years, its only 10 games (8 in a group and then a 2 legged playoff)

but there are so few breaks in the club schedule that it's the time frame they have

qualifying for the senior European championship started right after the WC last year and goes until later this year, and the tournament is next summer

so same type format

[d_phaneuf]

Spain are currently toying the Czech's

England starts soon, will help pass the day at work

#eng: Fielding; Walker Smalling Jones Bertrand; Rodwell Mancienne Henderson; Sturridge Welbeck Rose.

looks like a switch from the 4-2-3-1 against Spain to a 4-3-3 or maybe a 4-3-2-1

[d_phaneuf]

well, and this will be a big shock to many....

England have under performed in a tournament

reading this article did cheer me up a bit though, http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/19/fa-plans-age-group-football

at least things seem to be going in the right direction

[KTown]

Czechs stun England in a game England probably should have won, with goals in the 89th and 94th minute to win 2-1. Great game to watch from my end.

[d_phaneuf]

the Spain u21 team would probably be the 4th or 5th best international team in the world if they were separated from the senior team

[GirlySports]

the Spain u21 team would probably be the 4th or 5th best international team in the world if they were separated from the senior team

Not a chance. As good as they look in this tournament, it still would be boys against men on your scenario.

Real defenders would crush them.

[d_phaneuf]

how is it boys against men?

their starting XI are all mostly 22 or 23 and played in huge roles in their teams last year

the reigning European player of the year is 23 (Messi) and the reigning PFA player of the year is 21 (Bale), Alexis Sanchez was one of the 2 or 3 best players in Italy last year and he is 22

it's a young mans game

[GirlySports]

Those are individuals, a men's national team strategically has a different dynamic.

Spain the World Champions rely on men like Xavi (30), Iniesta (27), Villa 29, plus veterans like Pujol and Casillas.

You put this Spain U21 team against England for example.. against the backline of Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand and Cashley, and a midfield of Gerrard and Lampard...Spain wouldn't even touch the ball.

Brazil used to send their U23 team to the Gold Cup from time to time (when the Gold Cup invited teams) and Mexico/USA would beat them handily most of the time.

[d_phaneuf]

Brazil finished runners up twice and 3rd once at the gold cup...

of coarse Spain rely on Xavi, he is the best player in the world

but with the comparison to England, there are 4 or 5 players in that u21 side who would be good enough to start for England

[GirlySports]

Brazil finished runners up twice and 3rd once at the gold cup...

of coarse Spain rely on Xavi, he is the best player in the world

but with the comparison to England, there are 4 or 5 players in that u21 side who would be good enough to start for England

But going by your argument a Brazil U23 team should wipe the floor with the crappy CONCACAF teams, not finish 2nd or 3rd.

We'll have to disagree. You under-estimate your English team!
I don't think anyone on the Spanish U21 team, as good as they are, would play for England. They can barely even make their club teams. There such a big gap experience-wise between under-21 and a full national team.

To me, the center defenders (the classic #5 and #6) of every top 30 country are amazing in the way they anticipate the play. Put these under-whatevers against a Terry, Pique, Marquez, Lucio, Vidic, Kompany, Pepe etc... The kid forward would totally be marked out of the game.

They would look like Hernandez in the Champion's League final :)

[d_phaneuf]

Brazil aren't Spain, they don't produce the same amount of quality players, they produce probably the better players but not the same amount

I think this Spanish u21 team would win the gold cup that is going on right now

[d_phaneuf]

but I also think the English u21 team would win this gold cup as well