Many of the continent’s finest young stars will be on show when the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship kicks off on Wednesday night.
– World Cup: Mahdi Ali looking at Russia 2018, with love
– #360business: Neymar becoming football’s biggest brand
– Copa America: Hosts Chile denied by late Mexico equaliser
Although holders Spain surprisingly failed to make the cut for the prestigious eight-team biennial tournament, this should not detract from the entertainment expected to be served up in the Czech Republic during the next fortnight.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Juventus co-owned forward Domenico Berardi, Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva and Tottenham striker Harry Kane are just some of the players looking to replicate their fine club form.
The hosts begin proceedings against Denmark at 20:00, with favourites Germany following them at 22:45 when they face La Roja’s play-off conquerors Serbia.
With the four semi-finalists qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics men’s football tournament, there is much to be played for.
Schalke starlet Max Meyer is expected to light up the Euros with the hotly-tipped Die Mannschaft, but the attacking midfielder insists his nation would not be complacent as they aim for a second success.
“I can’t say we’re favourites, but everyone is here to win the title, that’s our aim,” said the 19-year-old. “Every game is important for us. We know we have to be 100 per cent focused. We know that it’s the first of three matches, and that we absolutely must get something from it. Serbia are a good opening opponent for us – the whole squad is looking forward to it.”
A fiercely-competitive Group B swings into action tomorrow, Italy playing Sweden in Olomouc and England playing Portugal at Stadion Miroslava Valenty.
Imminent Liverpool signing Danny Ings will line up in attack for the Young Lions, following on from a breakthrough 2014/15 campaign featuring 11 Premier League goals with relegated Burnley.
Their opening opponents are packed full of talent, Porto’s Ruben Neves a standout in midfield despite being aged only 18 while winger Marcos Lopes could push for the Manchester City first team next season after excelling on loan at Ligue 1’s Lille. The sides met last November, England coming away with a 3-1 victory.
But Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey expects a sterner test this time.
“I think the game will be different,” he said. “I think they had a couple of players missing and we had a few players missing as well. It is tournament football, it is not like a friendly so we’ll go into that game with some different names and different ambitions, but hopefully the same outcome.”
Excitement is building in the Czech Republic, the nation eager to cheer their young guns to success.
“Almost everywhere you can feel that a big event is going to start,” said Sparta Prague midfielder Ladislav Krejci. The top two from each pool will progress to the last-four, with the final set for June 30 in Prague’s Eden Arena.
