England

Having missed out the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2010/11, England qualified impressively this time round, remaining unbeaten to win Group 2, and have been in fine form all season.

England received a bye to the elite round, and spent the autumn fine-tuning their game plan with a series of friendlies. Draws against the Netherlands (0-0) and France (2-2) preceded a five-match winning run and, though that was halted by Montenegro in the second elite round fixture, victory against Switzerland ensured England's final place.

Noel Blake's side boast plenty of attacking firepower in the shape of Harry Kane, Saido Berahino and Benik Afobe, although Will Keane suffered a serious knee injury against Switzerland, while at the other end goalkeeper Sam Johnstone conceded only once in three elite round games. In addition, the likes of Nathaniel Chalobah, Ross Barkley and George Thorne were also key members of the squad that lifted the European U17 Championship two years ago.

"We know we have to improve in our performances if we want to go on and really achieve what we set out to do," said Blake after the final qualifier. "Our first objective this season was to get to the finals. Now our second objective is to qualify for the [U-20] World Cup. Then we'll see if we can be the first nation to win the U17s and U19s with the same year group."

Qualifying round: Bye

Elite round: Slovenia 5-0, Montenegro 1-1, Switzerland 1-0 (Group 2 winners)

Key players
Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea FC), John Lundstram (Everton FC), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur FC)

Coach: Noel Blake
Date of Birth: 12 January 1962
Nationality: English
Playing career: Aston Villa FC, Shrewsbury Town FC, Birmingham City FC, Portsmouth FC, Leeds United AFC, Stoke City FC, Bradford City AFC, Dundee FC, Exeter City FC
Coaching career: Exeter City FC, Stoke City FC (youth), England Under-19

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Blake spent his entire playing career in England apart from a two-year spell in Scotland with Dundee between 1993 and 1995. A powerful defender, Blake won promotion to the English top flight in 1987 with Portsmouth – for whom he made almost 150 appearances in a four-year spell – and Leeds three years later. He hung up his boots in 2001 following six years at Exeter, bringing the curtain down on a career that started in 1978.

Blake had been appointed player-manager of Exeter in 2000 but left the club altogether the following year, moving into youth coaching with Stoke. The Football Association came calling in February 2007, appointing Blake as national coach to work as an assistant with the Under-16 and U19 national sides. Part of Brian Eastick's coaching staff as England reached the final of the U19 European Championship in 2009, Blake stepped up to become the team's head coach the following season.

Team records

Qualifying top scorer
Will Keane: 2

UEFA European Under-19 Championship best
Runners-up 2005, 2009

Honours in UEFA youth competition
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Winners 1993

UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winners 2010
Runners-up 2007

UEFA Junior Tournament (U18)
Winners 1963, 1964, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1980