European Under-21 Championship: England exit expected

Under 21 European Championships / Michael Lintorn / 16 June 2011 /

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Captain Michael Mancienne has come in for a lot of criticism in the press

"It could be to England’s advantage that the Czechs appear more reliant on physicality than skill."

England are above-evens to triumph in their final Group B match against Czech Republic, which they have to win to go through, after a disappointing draw with Ukraine.

It's like South Africa all over again for England fans as, after draws in their opening two group games, England Under-21s require a win in their final fixture against Czech Republic to progress. Yet while the seniors were hot favourites in their decider with Slovenia, the Young Lions are [2.18] to deliver.

Just as was the case for Fabio Capello's men last year, England find themselves in this predicament because - after an excusable draw in the opener with their perceived main rivals for top spot - a drab 0-0 draw against the team widely considered the weakest, Ukraine, has left them in danger.

Boss Stuart Pearce has rather harshly come in for criticism from the press, despite his sterling work over the course of his four-year stint in taking a side that weren't even qualifying for the European Under-21 Championship and reaching three straight finals, making it to the final four in the first two.

There is a sense of apocalypse about the media coverage, referring to England's chances in the past tense, as if their fate has already been decided, but there is definitely still a way back for Pearce's kids, even if their position as third favourites to win the tournament at [8.4] hasn't yet been justified.

Their opponents Czech Republic were far less impressive against [1.74] frontrunners Spain than they were in their victory over Ukraine, surrendering far more meekly than England, who were attacked to an absurd degree by some pundits despite nicking a draw against superior opposition on Sunday.

It could be to England's advantage that the Czechs appear more reliant on physicality than skill, as exemplified by main striking options Tomas Pekhart and Libor Kozak. The Young Lions have players capable of competing on that front, so if the flair players like right back Kyle Walker, Henri Lansbury and Scott Sinclair - with at least one of the latter two likely to come in - can turn it on, all is not lost.

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