England's Under-21 team, champions in 2023, aim to defend their title and make it back-to-back wins in the European Under-21 Championship. They face the Netherlands in the semi-final on Thursday, with Germany and France competing in the other semi. The article discusses the historical significance of winning the U21 Euros, with 10 of the 24 teams to win going on to win either the World Cup or senior Euros within the next 12 years. The list includes Spain, Italy, and France, with players like Laurent Blanc, Fabio Cannavaro, and Gianluigi Buffon being part of those successful squads. Germany and England, winners in 2017 and 2023 respectively, still have the opportunity to add their names to the list. The article also highlights the mixed success of players who have won the best player of the tournament award and the Golden Boot, with some going on to have illustrious careers while others have not. England has won the tournament three times, in 1982, 1984, and 2023, with Mark Hateley and Anthony Gordon being named player of the tournament in 1984 and 2023 respectively. Half of the 1982 and 1984 squads never won a senior cap for England, and none of them became Three Lions legends. The most notable current star from the 2023 squad is Cole Palmer, with six other players also winning senior caps.
Source: BBC Sports Football
Post a Comment