Valuable lesson for bright young things

Andrea Pirlo, Raúl González, Luís Figo, Laurent Blanc, Petr Čech – the list of players who took their first steps to greatness at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship reads like a who's who of European football.

Learning curve
The competition has changed format several times since its inception in 1978, but its aim remains the same, namely to give the best young players of the day a platform to display their talent and help prepare them for the future. As the start of the 2009 UEFA European U21 Championship approaches in Sweden on Monday, that focus is no different. While each coach sets his sights on winning the prize, just getting here is a crucial stage in providing their charges with invaluable experience.

Legacy
For England manager Stuart Pearce, the lessons learned could have a lasting impact on the senior team in years to come. "I feel we have to win things at a young age group to have success at senior level," he told uefa.com. "It is a fantastic experience, and it will help the young players. They know the path from Under-21 football to senior football isn't so far."

Development
Fans of all eight competing nations will be charting their sides' progress closely in the coming days, but as Manchester United FC's Serbian international defender Nemanja Vidić points out, success should not be measured on results alone. "There are always high expectations for the Under-21s and for the youth teams as well," he told uefa.com. "But I think the most important thing for the players is that they are there to learn the right way and to become great players. The most important thing is what comes after the Under-21s – the senior national team. At this time it is important to win trophies and be first – that's what football is all about – but also to allow players to develop."

Talent show
The UEFA European U21 Championship has been doing precisely that since 1978, and in each edition fresh talent emerges. Royston Drenthe's electrifying performances propelled the Netherlands to victory in 2007, prompting his move to Real Madrid CF the same summer. He followed in the footsteps of Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Netherlands, 2006), Alberto Gilardino (Italy, 2004), Petr Čech (Czech Republic, 2002) and Andrea Pirlo (Italy, 2000) who all had key roles in their countries' triumphant campaigns. With the likes of Theo Walcott, Marcus Berg, Bojan Krkić, Mesut Özil, Sergei Kryvets, Mario Balotelli, Tim Sparv and Gojko Kačar on show in Sweden, the stars of 2009 are ready to shine too.

Click below to read more on the Golden Players of previous U21 final rounds:

2007: Royston Drenthe
2006: Klaas Jan Huntelaar
2004: Alberto Gilardino
2002: Petr Čech 
2000: Andrea Pirlo
1998: Francesc Arnau
1996: Fabio Cannavaro
1994: Luís Figo
1992: Renato Buso 
1990: Davor Šuker
1988: Laurent Blanc
1986: Manuel Sanchís 
1984: Mark Hateley
1982: Rudi Völler 
1980: Anatoli Demianenko
1978: Vahid Halilhodžić