Filed under: Football, Match Previews, England Football
EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP, GROUP B: HERNING STADIUM, DENMARK, SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1945 BSTAny meeting with a Spanish side currently carries with it an element of trepidation given the recent successes of the Spain national team and Barcelona, but the Uefa rankings suggest it is England who should go into their opening game in Denmark with a swagger.
Stuart Pearce's side are the only one of the eight competing nations to have participated in the previous two finals and their record of having reached the last four in 2007 before finishing runners-up two years ago means they are currently ranked as Europe's top team at under-21 level.
Such a statistic should be treated warily of course given the turnover of players over the course of four years, but nonetheless, Pearce can point to an impressive level of consistency in tournament play.
If they are to advance to the last four this year they will have to finish in the top two of a testing group that also includes Ukraine and the Czech Republic and neither Spain nor England will be too disappointed if they emerge from their opening game with a point.
Pearce has been fully occupied fighting a losing battle to ensure his best players are in Denmark and has used the success of the Spanish senior side, winners of the World Cup and Euro 2008, to illustrate his view that there is much to be gained from ensuring even relatively experienced players participate in every available international tournament.
"Look at the Spanish trophy cabinet, it never lies," Pearce told the BBC. "Draw a comparison between some of the Spanish players and see what they've done.
"Have a look what Bojan (Krkic, the Barcelona forward)'s done. This is his second under-21 tournament. For me, football's about playing football and that's what you should do."
Form Guide:
England beat Norway 2-0 in their pre-tournament warm-up game but that was only their second win in five games. Spain, meanwhile, arrive in Denmark on the back of two draws, against Russia and Belarus.
Key Match-up:
Juan Mata v Chris Smalling: The Valencia playmaker made one appearance in last summer's World Cup finals and his performances this season have already made him a target for several clubs in Spain and England. Mata won't operate as a frontline striker, but he ability to attack from deep will test Smalling's ability to maintain his discipline and not get drawn out of the English defensive line.
Odds: Spain 21/20, England 27/10, draw 23/10
ENGLAND:
If England are to win the competition for the first time since 1984, they will have to do it without Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Andy Carroll and Micah Richards, players with senior international experience but unavailable for the tournament.
Attention switched back to the current squad when Jordan Henderson and Phil Jones secured expensive moves to Liverpool and Manchester United respectively before joining up with Pearce's party in Denmark and with the tournament about to begin, the absentees will be quickly forgotten.
Those players still involved could be forgiven for believing they are little more than stand-ins given the extensive debate about the non-involvement of Wilshere in particular.
As much as Pearce is frustrated not to have his best available line-up, however, he will not permit concentration to waver.
"We're here to win it," Aston Villa forward Nathan Delfouneso told a pre-match media briefing. "Over the past couple of years we've gone from bronze to silver and now we believe it's time to go and get the gold and bring back the trophy.
"It is about progression but we also really want to win it as well, and that's the aim for everyone here.
"It's been well documented about the players that are not here but we're all very comfortable with everyone that's here.
"We're all quality players and believe we can push together and take back the trophy."
Strategy: Avoiding defeat will be the number one priority and to do that, Pearce's side will have to demonstrate discipline and organisation in the face of Spain's trademark passing that mirrors that of the senior side. Much will be expected of Daniel Sturridge when England do press forward and the Chelsea striker will be relied upon demonstrate the finishing ability he showed while on loan at Bolton and make the most of any chances that come his way.
Injury Update: Gibbs' late withdrawal with ankle problem was frustrating but Pearce has a fully fit squad to chose from.
SPAIN:
Mata and Javi Martinez bring World Cup winning experience to the Spain side but Barcelona's Sergio Busquets was left out after being named in the senior squad for the friendly internationals with Spain and Venezuela. Manchester United target David de Gea could line up in goal while former Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida is also in the Spain squad.
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