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UEFA EURO U21's 2011


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ENGLAND vs SPAIN - 7.45 - SKYSPORTS

Stuart Pearce's side begin their quest for European Championship glory with a clash against highly-fancied Spain in Herning on Sunday evening.England have established themselves as one of the finest Under 21 sides on the continent since Pearce took the helm in 2007, having reached the semi-final stage four years ago and then finished runners-up in Sweden.The heartache of a 4-0 defeat to Germany will have stayed with Pearce, even though the current squad has a very different look to it, and he will be determined to go one step further in Denmark to take the trophy.Qualifying for the eight-team tournament was an achievement in itself as the Young Lions finished second in their group and then overcame Romania in a play-off.Having booked their spot, discussion turned to whether Pearce would be able to select a full-strength party containing players with experience at senior international level.The club versus country debate ended, perhaps predictably, with the likes of Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll being left out of the squad, while Kieran Gibbs also withdrew earlier this week due to injury.Pearce still has every confidence in the youngsters still at his disposal, even if the draw has been unkind to England after being pitted in what is perceived to be the more difficult group.While games against Czech Republic and Ukraine lie ahead, it is the opening encounter against Spain that is likely to be their sternest examination in Group B.Players that have won the World Cup and UEFA Champions League have been included in Luis Milla's formidable squad, and they are likely to exhibit the same stylish approach that has characterised Spain's success at senior level.It should be noted, though, that Spain also failed to win their qualifying group and Pearce has set his sights on taking all three points.Team newsThe England manager has been keeping his cards very close to his chest in terms of team selection, refusing even to disclose the identity of his captain until the day of the game.The starting XI is expected to contain possible skipper Michael Mancienne, Frankie Fielding, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Ryan Bertrand, Fabrice Muamba, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge.Danny Welbeck and Jack Rodwell also appear likely starters, with Danny Rose, Scott Sinclair, Marc Albrighton, Tom Cleverley and Kyle Walker competing for the final spot, depending on the system.For Spain, captain Javi Martinez and Juan Mata will be aiming to claim more silverware this summer after earning World Cup winners' medals 12 months ago.Barcelona duo Bojan Krkic and Thiago Alcantara are also potential stars of the tournament, while there will be plenty of interest in the performance of goalkeeper David De Gea ahead of a proposed switch to Manchester United.
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England U21: Fielding; Walker Smalling Jones Bertrand; Cleverley Henderson Mancienne Rose; Welbeck; Sturridge#Spain: De Gea; Montoya, Botia, Alvaro Dominguez, Villa Rosello; Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez, Herrera; Mata, Adrian, Jeffren.http://lockerz.com/s/110112614

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England U21 01 Fielding 02 Mancienne 03 Bertrand 05 Smalling 06 P Jones 14 Walker 08 Henderson 17 Cleverley 20 Rose 09 Welbeck 10 SturridgeSpain U21 13 De Gea 03 Dominguez 12 Montoya 17 Dida 20 Botia 04 Javi Martinez 18 Herrera Ander 19 Thiago 06 Jeffren 07 Adrian 10 Mata

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wtf does sturidge always do that?

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