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
Denmark
Switzerland
Iceland
Belarus

Group B
Team
England
Ukraine
Spain
Czech Republic




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]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

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

[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]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

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]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

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]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

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/2...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