Young lions hoping to roar

By Andrew Haslam

Having missed out on the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals in 2004, England will be especially keen to make an impression in Northern Ireland this summer.

Disappointing draws
England reached the final tournament of the first European U19 Championship in 2002 following the reclassification of the age groups, overcoming Hungary and Georgia in the qualifying round before defeating Lithuania in the intermediary round to reach the last eight. At the finals tournament, however, Martin Hunter's team drew with Germany and Belgium, only for a 3-2 defeat by the Republic of Ireland to condemn them to an early exit.

Loss of form
The following season, with Stuart Baxter in charge, England stormed through to the finals in Liechtenstein, winning all six qualifiers to progress in style. Once in the finals, however, that form deserted them as, despite recovering from an opening defeat by Austria to record a 2-0 win against France, a 3-1 loss to the Czech Republic ended their interest in the competition.

Slovenian setback
Russia, Andorra and Liechtenstein were all defeated in the qualifying round in 2003/04, but Slovenia's 2-1 success in the opening Elite round of fixtures left England with it all to do to qualify. Although Denmark were then brushed aside 3-0, Ukraine ground out a 1-1 draw to hold off Dick Bate's team.

Key players
Hunter is in charge again this year, and has named a strong squad for the tournament in Northern Ireland. Sunderland AFC midfield player Grant Leadbitter is one of three players to have featured in all seven of the U19 internationals this season while Derby County AFC striker Lee Holmes is likely to be the side's main goal threat, having struck five times in nine U19 appearances. Middlesbrough FC pair James Morrison and Anthony McMahon have both gained experience in the English Premiership and UEFA Cup, while Ryan Jarvis scored a memorable goal for Norwich City FC against Liverpool FC. Martin Cranie and Phil Ifil have both been regulars in the English defence while, despite having never appeared in the U19s, defender Chinedum Onouha featured 17 times in the Premiership for Manchester City FC.

UEFA European Under-19 Championship best:
Group stage 2002, 2003

Honours in UEFA youth competitions:
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Winners 1975, 1980, 1993

For England's Under-19 team page, click here.