Under 21 Euro 2015 thread

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Tournament kicked off in the Czech republic today. Denmark came back strong to be the hosts 2-1. Pione Sisto, who's been touted as a potential star of the tournament scored the winner with an improvised to poke finish.

Championship favourites Germany were given a shock when Filip Djurcic gave Serbia the lead with a cool finish. Liverpool's Emre Can equalised soon after with a crisp strike from the edge of the box. Barcelona keeper Marc Ter Stegen tipped a long rang effort from Curcic onto the bar before half time.

Germany ended the match with ten men following left back Gunter receiving a second yellow card for diving.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Fantastic fightback from Sweden saw the overcome Italy 2-1. The Italians took the lead in the first half through a penalty, where Swede Milosevic was sent off. Berardi tuck away the spot kick.

Ex Man City forwad John Guedetti equalised, turning in a cross in the second half. Juventus' Sturaro got sent off for striking an opponent. Sweden were awarded a penalty with five minutes to go when the Italian keeper Bardi brought dow Isha. Thelin converted the spot kick for the win.

[Guest]

England 0-1 Portugal - Mario

[Guest]

England 0-1 Portugal FT

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Portugal are the best team I've seen so far in the tournament. We wilted badly in the second half. Hughes coming on imbalanced the side. Ings was ineffective, and only Pritchard looked bright when introduced.

William Carvalho was impressive. Dominated the middle of the park, and played at his own pace. Star man for me was Bernardo Silva.

[Guest]

that's the difference, william carvalho is a quality performer commanding £30m fees & Silva is one of the stars of Monaco & in the champs lge. We've got Carroll & Will Hughes types.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Yes a tough game first up - although I didn't think we looked too bad in all honesty. 

Especially when you consider we've lost two starters in Berahino/Stones in the last few days

[Fernando]

But we have Super Harry? You know the next english hope and all.....

[Guest]

good side that portugal one, throw in william carvalho, silva & a couple more into the main squad, along with nani, moutinho & ronaldo, then im sure what already seems to be a good tournament side, might end up being a real force in france next summer.

as for england, looking at the likes of chabolah, carroll, lingard, moore.....it's hardly a great side at all.

[Fernando]

Not a surprise really when you leave your decent eligible players at home.

[Duty281]

En-ger-land kick off in about an hour and a half.

Victory is of the utmost importance, otherwise this talented bunch will be consigned to hurtful failure.

[Duty281]

Sweden U21: Carlgren, Lindelof, Baffo, Helander, Augustinsson, Khalili, Hiljemark, Lewicki, Tibbling, Guidetti, Thelin. Subs: Rinne, Hrgota, Zeneli, Ishak, Olsson, Holmen, Larsson, Quaison, Konate, Gustafsson, Linde.

England U21: Butland, Jenkinson, Moore, Gibson, Garbutt, Redmond, Hughes, Chalobah, Pritchard, Carroll, Kane. Subs: Bond, Forster-Caskey, Stones, Ward-Prowse, Keane, Lingard, Ings, Afobe, Chambers, Targett, Loftus-Cheek, Bettinelli.

Ward-Prowse and Lingard out; Hughes and Pritchard in.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

I assume Ward-Prowse is injured, as I'm surprised Tom Carroll as retained his place on form. Pleased to see Pritchard come in on the left hand side, as he looked bright in his cameo role against Portugal.

[Fernando]

Why are Stones & Chambers not playing at the back & Ings/Afobe ahead of Carroll.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Stones is injured. He suffered a concussion in training.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

0-0 at half time. England struggled early on. Half chance for Kane with a diving head from a great Jenkinson cross. Will Hughes should have scored with a chance from eight yards.

I think either Carroll or Hughes needs to get closer to Kane. Garbutt needs to improve his delivery from out wide, as its been poor.

[Duty281]

Kane isolated; wide players isolated; centre of midfield largely absent; defence seemingly incapable of coping with long balls; not enough players in the box; not enough pace.

Mind you, the Swedes are an insipid bunch, clamouring for a point.

So England can take 'em - might need Ings on by the hour mark, though!

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Southgate's rolled the dice straight away. Hughes off, Ings on.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Lingard, 1-0. Get in there

[Duty281]

The English!

Sweet strike.

[Duty281]

Numerous improvements need to be made, Lingard and Loftus-Cheek need to start, and Southgate's team are so far off replicating the form they have showed for the majority of the last two years....but England are still in it!

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Stones will come back in for certain. I'd definitely start Loftus-Cheek, probably in place of Chalobah, who's been disappointing. Lingard's a tougher decision as both him and Pritchard have looked better coming from the bench then starting.

[Duty281]

I think Moore, Chalobah and Carroll all have to be dropped - for Stones, Loftus-Cheek and Lingard, hopefully.

Kane was atrocious yesterday, looking lost in the fundamental basics of ball control and sensible positioning...but his reputation and prior form will probably ensure he remains in the side.

A draw might be enough to get through, against Italy, but the win would make it a guarantee.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Pritchard's tournament's over, with a knee ligament injury. Lingard's nailed on to start now.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Denmark have won their group. Germany drew against the hosts Czech Republic meaning they'll take second place.

[Duty281]

So if England do qualify tonight, it is likely that they shall do so as runners-up, thus meaning they will play Denmark, rather than the more-favoured Germans, in the semi-final.

A nice little upturn of fortune.

England have been making small improvements in the first two games; one would think they need to take a much bigger step if they are to qualify tonight. Hope Southgate gets the selection right, and that he doesn't persist with Moore and Chalobah.

[NickisBHAFC]

JFC starting. What you doing Southgate?

[Duty281]

Well I stumbled upon a pretty poor omen for tonight - it's exactly three years since this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18355305

Still a 0-0 draw might be enough if the Portuguese avoid defeat against Sweden.

U21s line-up v Italy: Butland (c), Jenkinson, Garbutt, Forster-Caskey, Stones, Gibson, Kane, Redmond, Chalobah, Ings, Lingard

Ings set to play behind Kane, I believe. Slightly irritated that Chalobah has retained his place, but at least Stones starts. And no Carroll cheers me up as well.

I think England will edge it 1-0.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ben Gibson all at sea so far

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

What a miss from Ings

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Forster Caskey and Chalobah in midfield will be our downfall here - probably the two worst CM's in the squad

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Atrocious defending

[Nakatomi Plaza]

1-0 Italy - Belotti. Shocking marking from England

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Damn it. Benassi 2-0. We're coming home.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Atrocious defending

X2

Midfield is non existent

[NickisBHAFC]

As predicted Forster Caskey starting is a complete shocker. But England have been awful this tournament - like every sporting tournament!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Every five yard pass from Chalobah/Forster Caskey is off target, literally every one

[NickisBHAFC]

You sound surprised. Have you seen them both play? There both awfully bad.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Tbf we've been decent going forward

[compelling and rich]

we haven't got any cm or cb who can play football! could probably say the same for the senior side as well

[Duty281]

Centre of midfield wholly non-existent thus far (directly responsible for the Italians second), both in an attacking and defending sense. Loftus-Cheek must replace Chalobah, who has been woeful all tournament.

Kane is displaying excellent confidence, and is linking up well with Ings. Redmond and Lingard probably need to be a little more direct when on the ball.

Getting two goals isn't that outlandish for the English, they've created two good chances thus far, but a serious improvement has to be registered in the centre of midfield.

(Oh and these commentators are woeful. Singing a bloody national anthem is no indicator of performance, only a moron would think so!)

[NickisBHAFC]

I'm at work listening on the radio and Lawro has been on fine form once again.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

No changes at half time....truly baffling

[compelling and rich]

doubt i can see two goals duty, the italians will just shut up shop here and we havent got enough creativity in the team to unlock them. the crossing of the whole team is awful, head down just lump it in

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Earth to Gareth...

[Fernando]

What was anyone expecting. England sail through qualifying then get knocked early on. Just wait til next year be more of the same.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Seriously still no subs

[NickisBHAFC]

With a Brighton player in this team, there was never chance of success in this tournament. Never.

[Duty281]

England have had enough chances to win this game - they simply haven't taken them.

[Guest]

Really not sure what people were expecting, squad is woeful because all the talent has been stolen for the main squad. We will never learn anything. Forster caskey is dog poo, chabolah is dog poo, Hughes dog poo, Moore dog poo, Ings dog poo, Redmond dog poo, Carroll dog poo. 

You can go on & on. As for Gareth 

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