Euro U21s Championship: Team-by-team guide – Group B

ENGLAND

Coach: Gareth Southgate
Previous Best: Winners (1982, 1984)
Road to Finals: The only match they failed to win was against Finland in the regular games and they went on to beat Croatia 4-2 over two legs.
Strengths/Weaknesses: A flawless qualifying campaign for the young Lions resulted in just two goals conceded in and 31 scored. They also have the most lethal finisher in the qualification process in Saido Berahino (10 goals in nine games)
Star Player: Nathan Redmond – after a sensational season with Norwich, the dangerous dribbler will be a constant threat for England. The attacker understands how to find space and is lightning fast with or without the ball.
Verdict: If England, and there’s always an if, can find their groove they may sneak into the knockouts ahead of Italy. Not a sure bet so likely to exit at first step.

ITALY

Coach: Luigi Di Biagio
Previous Best: Winners (1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Road to Finals: Things didn’t start well with a home defeat but they soon picked up with six wins in seven games before dispensing of Slovakia with relative ease in the play-offs.
Strengths/Weaknesses: Defensively tight and goal-hungry. They have an ideal platform to build on with arguably the best central-defensive duo in the competition and plenty of goals up front.
Star Player: Domenico Berardi – Di Biagio’s is the ace in the hole. Much of their play will end up Berardi’s quick feet, asking him to duck in off the flank and fire off shots on goal.
Verdict: Italy managed to edge the toughest qualification route of the lot and you’d fancy them to be strong here, semi-final spot is on the cards.

PORTUGAL

Coach: Rui Jorge
Previous Best: Runners-up (1994)
Road to Finals: Utterly dominant they played eight, won eight, scored 22 goals and conceded just 6. Edged Netherlands 5-4 over two legs.
Strengths/Weaknesses: If there is a weakness then it’s upfront but Portugal more than make up for that with a very strong midfield and the tactical nous of Jorge in opting for 4-3-3 negates the fact Goncalo Paciencia is the only genuine No.9.
Star Player: Bernardo Silva – The Monaco man possesses immense skill with a footballing brain to match. He’s slick between he lines and capable of finding that little gap.
Verdict: One of the favourites to be crowned champions, Portugal were a dominant force during qualifying and boast the best record heading into the finals. Alongside, Germany should reach the final and could well win it.

SWEDEN

Coach: Hakan Ericson
Previous Best: Runners-up (1992)
Road to Finals: Topped their group but they were sporadic. Looked like exiting to France in play-offs but progressed with a 4-3 win.
Strengths/Weaknesses: A look at their road to the Championships tells you all you need to know, as five of their eight group games had four goals or more scored. It depends on which team turns up. Defensively can be very questionable but perfectly adept in attack.
Star Player: John Guidetti – The striker always steps up when needed and Sweden have the added bonus Guidetti is searching for a new club after opting against a permanent switch to Celtic after a productive loan spell.
Verdict: They can’t seem to make their mind up over whether they’re very good or just very bad. Exciting to watch but won’t make it out of the group.