Latest news with #Under21Championship
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Will Spain serve up a helping of pain for England's misfiring youngsters?
Venganza is on the cards in Trnava on Saturday night when England take on Spain at the European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals. There are constant reminders on the Channel 4 coverage in the UK that 'we' are the holders, despite the fact there are only a couple of remaining members from the squad that defeated La Rojita in the final in Batumi two years ago. It's a night that Oliver Skipp will never forget. There is another stark difference between then and now: England were properly decent at that point. This current crop have stumbled their way into the last eight like a weary boozer, six pints deep, picking his way through an All Bar One terrace on a hot day. Galavanting is not part of this England team's repertoire; instead meekness is the summary of what they have offered. After a promising defeat of the Czech Republic, they stumbled to a goalless draw against the might of Slovenia before losing to Germany B in their final group game. Spain, on the other hand, have breezed to this stage, sweeping past Slovakia (3-2) and Romania (2-1). The more worrying news for England is that the Spanish are favourites and an inquisition should be expected. They've still got memories of Curtis Jones's winner in Georgia two years ago, although the more galling moment remains James Trafford making an injury-time penalty save from Abel Ruiz to secure the silverware for England. Revenge, it seems, is best served in a partially full stadium in Slovakia's seventh biggest city. If we're looking for positives out of the Germany game for England, then young Bournemouth midfield scurrier Alex Scott, who scored in the second half, was decent. He reckons it's only a matter of time before the floodgates open for Carsley's pups. 'The lads score goals every single day but it's not quite clicked yet in the games. The quality we have in this team, it's a matter of time before the goals start flying in,' he whooped. They'll need to win possession off the ball-hogging Spaniards before they can pepper the goal with shots. How will they do that, then? 'Replicate what the lads did two years ago,' he mused. 'It is going to be a tough team. Every Spain team is very good on the ball, very calm and composed.' In preparing to soften any blow, England need not worry, even if a hammering is handed out. Why? Because they have one of their own in Spain's squad. Leeds United striker Mateo 'Matty' Joseph Fernández-Regatillo is leading the line despite possessing 10 England Under-20 caps. Born in Santander to an English father and Spanish mother, Joseph spent the first 19 years of his life in his homeland before being attracted by the bright lights of Yorkshire to learn about real football, none of that tiki-taka nonsense. Giving Joseph a proper football education might now backfire on England, but it does guarantee that at least one proud bulldog will make it to the semi-finals, whatever happens. Join Taha Hashim for red-hot Copa Gianni updates from Flamengo 0-0 Chelsea at 7pm (BST). The American dream. We guess the cowboy won …' – Botafogo remind PSG chief suit, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, of the insult he hurled at their owner John Textor, also chief suit at Lyon, after the Brazilian side's shock 1-0 Copa Gianni victory over the Bigger Cup champions. Re: the thinly veiled contempt from the Juventus players standing behind Donald Trump (yesterday's Football Daily), brought to mind this scene from The Simpsons …' – Adam Clark. The photo in yesterday's Football Daily makes Mr Infantino look very much like Mickey Mouse in his magnum opus, Fantasia. On reflection, Mickey Mouse is a perfect description for Mr Infantino, and his mate Donald shares many comparisons with [Snip – Football Daily lawyer]' – Joe Carr. Given the PFA has a young player of the year award, isn't it only fair they also have an old player of the year award (over 78s perhaps? – Football Daily Ed)? I had a really good game with my dog in the garden recently so surely I qualify and I'm even older than James Milner' –Martyn Shapter. Please send your letters to Today's winner of our letter o' the day competition is … Joe Carr, who gets some Football Weekly merch. We'll be in touch. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. In the past few days, thirsty shoppers in supermarkets around Britain may have spotted a big promotional display from an energy drink offering them a chance to meet England's Lionesses. So far, so ordinary, right? Not if you were doing your big shop in Cardiff, where Tesco upset regulars who would have preferred to get the chance to meet their own national team's players instead. The Welsh FA's chief suit, Noel Mooney, took to his social media disgrace of choice to roar: 'We are Cymru!' And one shopper told the BBC it was 'deeply offensive', adding that Tesco should have 'read the room' with Wales taking on England in Euro 2025 next month. Tesco apologised for the own goal, saying the display was 'incorrectly' put up and promised that 'many of our colleagues and customers will be supporting their home nations' in the Euros. Lucozade sport, gets others irked, fast. It's all going on at Liverpool, with Florian Wirtz coughing for the Anfield doctor and Milos Kerkez packing his bags at Bournemouth and heading up the A338, A31, M27, M3, A34, M40, M6, M62 and round Queen's Drive in a £40m deal. Harry Kane can't wait to face Boca and their bouncy fans at Copa Gianni. 'They're loud and they're passionate,' roared Kane. 'So, yeah, I'm looking forward to the atmosphere. You know, sometimes it brings out the best in you as a player.' Lionel Messi has delivered on his end of the Faustian bargain, pinging in a free-kick to give Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Porto at Copa Gianni. Hannah Hampton has vowed to try to replicate Mary Earps's main character energy after being confirmed as England's first-choice goalkeeper for the Euros, though she'll probably have to effing swear more to do that. 'We're gonna miss her as a person here,' she sniffed. 'She's a big personality in this team. Now l have got to just go and live up to her legacy. I'll give it my best shot.' Daniëlle van de Donk has done one from OL Lyonnes to London City Lionesses, both of whom are owned by Michele Kang. New Rangers boss Russell Martin will watch his team take a high-wire approach to playing out from the back for the first time in a Scottish Premiership match, when they face Motherwell away in their season-opener. Full fixtures here. And Bruno Fernandes has joined Mohamed Salah on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Premier League player of the year gong, with Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey the favourite for the WSL's award. From heat to unrest: Alexander Abnos on how five major storylines are shaping up at Copa Gianni. Is Cole Palmer playing down the fuss before Chelsea's clash with Flamengo? Of course he is! Jacob Steinberg on the 'normal' kid who does exceptional things. Why is Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike hot property in the summer transfer window? Ben McAleer explains. 'Family. They're the only ones you can depend on,' said Tony Soprano. New Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso is reaching for that same ethos, explains Nicky Bandini, as the Azzurri try to avoid the unthinkable prospect of failing to qualify for a third straight World Cup. And the Rumour Mill picks over the latest gossip, including speculation over comings and goings at Liverpool. We rewind to 1966 and a new bridge under construction outside Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, in time for the World Cup games to be held there that summer. The ground hosted three matches in Group Three: Portugal 3-1 Hungary, Portugal 3-0 Bulgaria, and Hungary 3-1 Bulgaria.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Five things Lee Carsley needs to fix to get England Under 21s back on track
England have stumbled into the quarter-finals of the Under-21 European Championship following an uninspired group stage performance. Lee Carsley's side have reached the knockout rounds in consecutive tournaments for the first time since 2009. Yet, in Slovakia, the Young Lions have fallen short of expectations as they defend their European title, finishing second in Group B with four points. After slipping to a 2-1 defeat in the final group match at the hands of tournament frontrunners Germany – who made 11 changes – England will take on 2023 final opponents Spain on Saturday for a spot in the last four. Here, Telegraph Sport assesses what England must address ahead of the business end of the competition. Get inventive Carsley had promised a side that would grow into the tournament. Before England's opener against Czechia, he warned of early 'clunkiness' and the need for rhythm to develop. While the initial disjointedness was largely avoided, England have become increasingly predictable with each game. Instead of growing into the tournament, they have regressed. Their first match showed relative fluidity — incisive in attack, a little volatile at the back, but with a solid base. Since then, invention in the final third has dried up. England repeatedly overcrowded central areas, with attacking midfielders and deep-dropping forwards operating on top of one another. Space was restricted, and attacking play became congested. England must find a way to stretch the pitch with their attackers, as they have been reliant on width from Tino Livramento. His surging runs from left-back had brought rare urgency and variety to England's attack. Without him, the flanks offered little. Heading into the knockouts, England need to deploy their attackers more intelligently and allow them greater freedom to create, otherwise they will suffer from the same stagnation in attack. Play a striker If England are serious about defending their European crown, Carsley must abandon his striker-less experiment and start Birmingham City's Jay Stansfield. The 21-year-old, who scored 24 goals in all competitions last season, has been on the bench throughout the group stage. Following Liam Delap's withdrawal – after his £30 million move to Chelsea and Club World Cup call-up – Carsley opted for a forward line full of attacking midfielders but no recognised striker. The result: a front line lacking a focal point or clinical edge. England have worked the ball into dangerous areas but lacked a finisher to convert. Despite registering the third-most attempts in the tournament (54), they've scored only four goals – with nearly half their efforts off target. Carsley's striker-less setup delivered success in 2023, but against a compact Slovenia and rotated-yet-ruthless Germany, England's threat dwindled. It is time for a more traditional setup. Stansfield looked bright when introduced at half time against Germany – finding space, offering an outlet, and getting a respectable chance which he dragged wide. Keep creating those opportunities for a natural finisher, and the goals will come. Omari Hutchinson, too, has been one of the bright sparks. A switch to a 4-2-3-1 would allow Stansfield to lead the line with Hutchinson, Ethan Nwaneri, and James McAtee behind him – a setup that promises better balance and chance creation. The combination worked for England's consolation goal against Germany, when McAtee dropped deep, released Hutchinson, and the winger teed up Alex Scott. Put players in the right positions This approach would also address England's positional dilemma. Nwaneri, for instance, was shoehorned into the left wing role against Slovenia despite being a natural right-sided attacker. He looked uncomfortable and ineffective – until the final 15 minutes, when he switched to his favoured side and instantly looked sharper, more confident and more dangerous. He carried that form into the Germany game, where he was one of England's livelier threats. McAtee, meanwhile, has been asked to play as a false nine – a role that limits his creativity. He is more effective operating as a 10, where he can drop deep and knit play. His class has been sacrificed at times to accommodate the likes of Harvey Elliott and Jonathan Rowe, but as one of England's most potent offensive players, he should be utilised in his most efficient position. Rowe is another example: a natural winger pushed into a second striker role. These are not minor adjustments – they are significant positional mismatches that have restricted England's best players. Carsley has a wealth of versatile talent at his disposal, but in some cases – like Nwaneri and McAtee – the best position is obvious. The challenge is no longer finding the right players, but putting them in the right places. Stop the opponents' biggest weapon Germany, who have scored nine goals at this tournament, have repeatedly bombarded opposition boxes with dangerous crosses – notably to the back post. Their strategy has been no secret. Yet England appeared ill-prepared for the aerial onslaught in Nitra when Ansgar Knauff nodded in Lukas Ullrich's outside-of-the-boot delivery in the third minute. Nelson Weiper then capitalised on similar poor defending half an hour later. 'I thought we were second best too many times in the first half,' said Carsley. 'It's about winning your duels, second balls, taking the ball off your opponent. Too often, we didn't.' Carsley took personal responsibility for analysing Germany, but his side were caught cold. Defensive lapses and a lack of organisation against a predictable German delivery exposed a vulnerability in the air. The inability to enact a plan to neutralise an opponent's most significant weapon was a worry. The players must address their defensive attentiveness urgently ahead of facing Spain. Keep Anderson and Livramento fit England may as well pack their bags if Livramento and Elliot Anderson are not at their peak fitness for the knockout stage. The duo, both also eligible to represent Scotland, have shone while England have stuttered. Livramento was left on the bench for the final group match and, without his energy and invention, England's wide play suffered. The Newcastle full-back, comfortable on either flank, started the first two games at left-back and was England's most consistent outlet. He receives the ball, drives to the byline and cuts it back to the penalty spot – offering a tap-in for any arriving bodies. He is the primary chance creator. Player of the match in England's first group game, he ran the show. In midfield, Anderson looked visibly fatigued when withdrawn after three demanding starts in six days. The physical toll is already showing. Yet his physicality and ability to collect the ball in deep areas and distribute with precision has provided England with rare coherence. His power will be crucial in reinforcing the midfield, while his range from deep could prove an efficient route to work the ball wide. Anderson and Livramento have been central to England's creativity and control. They perform like senior internationals and will likely be in contention for next summer's World Cup squad. If England are to go deep in the knockouts, they need both fit and firing.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
England U21s 'shell-shocked' during Euros loss
Lee Carsley says his England side were "shell-shocked" during their during their 2-1 European Under-21 Championship defeat by Germany - and "need to address" how they started the defending champions found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening 33 minutes of their final group match, with Alex Scott replying during a more encouraging second-half will now face Spain in the quarter-finals as Slovenia's 2-0 defeat by the Czech Republic meant the Germany result was not more costly for the Young Lions."I thought there was definitely a bit of shell-shock, going 2-0 down so soon," said Carsley. "We didn't start well either in the last game [0-0] against Slovenia. That's something we need to address." Carsley, who made four changes to his starting XI, made a triple substitution at half-time, bringing on Genoa right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy, captain James McAtee and striker Jay Stansfield as he looked to address his side's disappointing opening."The first half was nowhere near good enough. The way we started the game, the goals that we conceded were really disappointing," he added."It was important they knew that. The changes we made at half-time, [we] could have made any number of changes. I asked for a reaction in the second half and we definitely saw a reaction."The performance was not at the level we need. When you think of the reaction in the second half that was more like it. It took us to go 2-0 down to get to that point which is disappointing."Carsley has not had as much time as he usually would to prepare his squad for the tournament following his stint as interim head coach of the senior returned to take charge of the under-21s in March and has had to deal with the loss of Liam Delap and Jobe Bellingham after the pair signed for Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund respectively and will feature at the Fifa Club World Cup."You know, with the attention that the team get, living up to some expectations, the responsibility of when you put the shirt on, no-one's going to roll over for us," said Carsley."We've spoken about that. But the response was very good and I expect us to start like that in the next game, because if we give Spain a two-goal start, it's game over."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to watch England U21s vs Germany U21s FOR FREE: TV channel and live stream for Euros clash today
England conclude their group-stage campaign at the European Under-21 Championship with a key showdown against Germany tonight. It's not all been plain sailing for Lee Carsley's defending champions in Slovakia so far this summer, with a routine opening 3-1 victory over Czechia followed by a frustrating stalemate against Slovenia on Sunday. Germany, meanwhile, have already qualified for the quarter-finals after successive big wins and will be confirmed as Group B table-toppers if they avoid defeat at Stadion pod Zoborom in Nitra this evening. England will book their place in the last eight by avoiding defeat, while a win will take them through as group winners. The Young Lions would also go through if they lost, provided Slovenia do not beat Czechia at the same time at MOL Arena in Dunajska Streda. 'We all know what this game is about and how much weight it carries, so we try and remove a bit of that for the players, but they have looked very focused,' Carsley said on Tuesday. 'We talk about the players having personality on the ball and getting the ball, because it is really important that in the biggest moments of the biggest games, that is what we are trying to prepare these players for. 'We still want to win the group, so that's the challenge that we set the players. We have shown in patches that we have been good, but we can definitely be better. The chances that we have created, but then didn't take [against Slovenia] is disappointing.' TV channel: In the UK, tonight's match is being shown live and free-to-air on Channel 4, with coverage beginning at 7:30pm BST ahead of an 8pm BST kick-off time - 9pm local time - in Slovakia. Live stream: You can also watch the game for free live online via the Channel 4 website.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Germany's ‘Big Nick' Woltemade brings nicknames and goals to main stage
If there was any doubting Nick Woltemade's star quality, a brilliant hat-trick in Germany's opening match of the European Under-21 Championship against Slovenia showed the beanpole striker with numerous nicknames is the real deal. Known variously as Woltemessi, the Tower of Stuttgart, Goaltemade or just plain old Big Nick, he has been the standout player of the first two rounds of matches in Slovakia, having helped to book his side's place in the quarter-finals with another goal in their win over the Czech Republic on Sunday. With England up next as Germany attempt to seal top spot in Group B and avoid a meeting with the favourites, Spain, in the last eight, the coach, Antonio Di Salvo, has a decision to make. Such has been Woltemade's success this season that he was also called up by Julian Nagelsmann for the senior squad's Nations League games and made his debut against Portugal in the semi-final less than a fortnight ago. Advertisement Related: Club World Cup: Jobe Bellingham makes Dortmund debut in draw with Fluminense 'Honestly, I just want to rest,' Woltemade said after the 4-2 victory over the Czech Republic, in which he contributed two assists as well. 'It's been a tough schedule and I've played a lot of minutes in a short time.' Di Salvo, a former Bayern Munich forward who was an assistant to Stefan Kuntz with the under-21s before taking over when Kuntz left to manage Turkey's seniors in 2021, is expected to rotate when they face Lee Carsley's side in Nitra on Wednesday evening. Yet after Germany failed to get past the group stage in Georgia two years ago for the first time since 2013 as England went on to win the tournament, he is under pressure to deliver the country's fourth title at this level. 'I don't need to say more about how important Nick is to us,' Di Salvo said. 'He changes our game.' A shade under two metres tall, Woltemade has played for Germany at various youth levels but it was not until his move to Stuttgart from his hometown side Werder Bremen that he announced himself on the big stage. Despite becoming Bremen's youngest player at 17, he had struggled for game time owing to Niclas Füllkrug's blistering form before a loan at third-division SV Elversberg transformed his fortunes. He earned a move to Stuttgart to replace Serhou Guirassy when the prolific Guinea striker departed for Borussia Dortmund last summer, and scored the opening goal in the DFB Pokal final victory in May – his fifth in that cup run – to add to his 12 in the Bundesliga. Advertisement A hat-trick against Spain, who drew 1-1 with Italy to win their group on Tuesday night, in an under-21s warm-up game in March put Woltemade firmly on the radar, with reports of interest from around Europe including from Chelsea, Everton and West Ham. The 23-year-old born on Valentine's Day is eligible to play at the tournament because he was 21 at the start of qualifying – one of 73 players at the start of the finals who are two years older than the age limit. England are the only squad not to contain a 23-year-old, although Middlesbrough's midfielder Hayden Hackney will reach that age on 26 June, two days before the final. That is an indication of England's approach, with Carsley – who has extended his contract until the next tournament in 2027 – having assembled a much more inexperienced squad than the one which triumphed two years ago. If he had followed Germany's example with Woltemade, seven members of Thomas Tuchel's latest selection could have been on double international duty this summer. Adam Wharton, another senior international, was ruled out as he recovers from concussion sustained in the FA Cup final. Newcastle's Tino Livramento, who excelled in the opening win over the Czech Republic, is the only player to have also been capped at senior level and England's squad contains two teenagers, who have featured in the first two games: Tottenham's Archie Gray and Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal. Advertisement Carsley will make changes against Germany, citing 'age and the amount they've played', with a point required to ensure a place in the knockout stages. If Germany are without Woltemade from the start, England – who have lost only twice to Germany at this age group and won 2-0 in the group stages two years ago – will know that Di Salvo's side boast plenty of other firepower. Nicolò Tresoldi, who scored the opener against the Czech Republic and described Woltemade as 'the perfect strike partner', has just joined Club Brugge, and Brighton's Brajan Gruda and Paul Nebel of Mainz provide creativity. At the other end, Freiburg's goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has made 20 appearances at the age group and has been tipped as a potential long-term successor to Manuel Neuer. 'We want to win every game,' said Germany's captain, Eric Martel, 'especially against England, because, as they say in Germany, it's 'the classic'.'
