ENGLAND
Previous Euro U21 Champs best: Winners (1982, 1984)
Head coach - Gareth Southgate: Penalty kicks may not have been Southgate's speciality in senior European Championships as a player, but he's looks to be a dab hand when it comes to managing the Under-21s. He replaced Stuart Pearce in August 2013 and has barely tasted defeat, with 14 wins being achieved from the previous 15 outings heading into this tournament. Of course, managing in a tournament is a different kettle of fish, but having romped through qualification undefeated - scoring 31 goals and conceding just two - the 44-year-old will have every confidence in his players.
Key player - Harry Kane
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Saido Berahino may have been the leading goalscorer in qualification with a highly impressive return of 10 goals, but it's difficult to look beyond Kane being England's true dangerman. Rather than rest up this summer following the stress of a long Premier League and Europa League campaign with Tottenham Hotpsur, Kane was desperate to travel to the Czech Republic. He scored 31 goals in all competitions last term, during which he caused some big problems for some of English football's best defences.
Sports Mole says: There is always plenty of (misplaced) optimism when England enter a major tournament, but on this occasion it seems justified. Having cruised through qualification and then Croatia in the playoffs, the Three Lions are one of the competition's form sides. In Kane, as well as Berahino and Danny Ings, they possess strikers capable of scoring goals, which is a vital commodity. The minimum expectation is that they reach the semis, but Southgate will have his eyes fixed firmly on the final.
ITALY
Previous Euro U21 Champs best: Winners (1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Head coach - Luigi Di Biagio: Former holding midfielder Di Biagio played in a World Cup and European Championships for Italy, before going on to be appointed boss of the Under-20 side in 2011. Two years later he was promoted up an age group and under his guidance, the Under-21s have flourished. They finished the qualifiers with three wins, which included a 7-1 hammering of Cyprus.
Key player - Andrea Belotti
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Starting now, it is going to be a big few months for Belotti. At this tournament, he is Italy's main striker and much will be expected of the 21-year-old. He found the net six times in qualifying, which was four more times than any of his teammates. Meanwhile, at club level with Palermo, he will be charged with the task of replacing Juventus-bound Paulo Dybala. That is by no means an easy feat, but he does possess the workrate levels and clinical touch to be a successful forward in Serie A.
Sports Mole says: No nation has won this title more times than the Azzurri, who have triumphed on five occasions. But, can they make it number six in the Czech Republic? Bookmakers regard them to be the fourth favourites, which is probably just about a fair summation. A lot will depend on Belotti, because defensively they are expected to be traditionally tight.
PORTUGAL
Previous Euro U21 Champs best: Runners-up (1994)
Head coach - Rui Jorge: When the Portuguese lost to Italy in the final of the Under-21 Euros back in 1994, their side contained Jorge. He was appointed manager in 2010 following the team's failure to qualify for the 2011 edition of this tournament. The 42-year-old has worked some magic since then, with the youthful Portuguese winning all eight of the qualifying encounters, before knocking out the Dutch over two legs.
Key player - William Carvalho
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Having been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal in recent years, a lot of eyes will be on Carvalho this summer. He may have only played three qualification matches, largely due to his commitments with the senior side, but he still contributed two goals. With 12 full caps to his name, much will be expected of the 23-year-old, who will take up a holding role in the heart of the midfield. Impressive showings in the Czech Republic could, after so much speculation, finally earn him a move away from Sporting Lisbon.
Sports Mole says: Qualifying in such style brings with it a level of expectation. The big question is, how will Jorge's men cope? They certainly have plenty of goals in the team, so much will be decided on how they defend against England and Italy, who are likely to be their main competitors for a place in the semi-finals. Having never previously won the competition, they may well have their strongest squad of recent times to end the wait.
SWEDEN
Previous Euro U21 Champs best: Runners-up (1992)
Head coach - Hakan Ericson: The 55-year-old started his managerial career back in 1983 with FC Kick and since then he has managed a host of clubs, the majority of which were based in his native Sweden. They may have missed out on a place at Euro U21 2011, but with Ericson at the helm, they won their group this time around and then overturned a two-goal deficit to impressively beat France in the playoffs.
Key player - John Guidetti
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After being released by Manchester City at the end of last season, Guidetti will view this tournament as a shop window. He joined City in 2008 as a bright prospect, but he struggled to break into the first team at the Etihad Stadium, although he did impress during loan spells with the likes of Feyenoord and Celtic. As far as the Swedish Under-21s are concerned, the 23-year-old score four goals from his six outings during qualification.
Sports Mole says: The Swedes may have only featured in this competition six times, but on each occasion they have reached the quarter-finals at the very least. But, in truth, with three established nations for company, it is going to be tough for them progress to the final four.
Group B fixtures
Sunday, June 18
Italy vs. Sweden
England vs. Portugal
Wednesday, June 21
Sweden vs. England
Italy vs. Portugal
Wednesday, June 24
England vs. Italy
Portugal vs. Sweden
Prediction: 1. England 2. Portugal 3. Italy 4. Sweden
Liam Apicella
