Martin Tyler will be talking you through England's progress at the European Under 21 Championships over the next couple of weeks, live on Sky Sports.
But before he sets off for Sweden - where he will also be providing his tournament diary for skysports.com - we got him to give us a statistical steer on Stuart Pearce's young guns.
Some of them have been capped at senior level, most of them have played in the Premier League and just three of them are teenagers.
England Under 21s: flying the flag in Sweden
Scroll down to find out more about the youngsters flying the flag this summer...
Goalkeepers
JOE HART
Club: Manchester City
Age: 22
Caps: 17
One of the few with senior England experience under his belt after coming on as a sub against Trinidad & Tobago in June of last year and has been ever-present for all 10 qualifying games on the way to Sweden. He has let in just five goals and kept seven clean sheets in the process and has also been named in 15 of Pearce's last 18 starting line-ups. Capped at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level he made 23 Premier League appearances for City this season, keeping six clean sheets before unluckily losing his place to Shay Given. But I am sure he has already learned a lot from the brilliant Irish international.
JOE LEWIS
Club: Peterborough United
Age: 21
Caps: 4
Certainly the only England keeper to come on as a striker, the 6ft 5in keeper is yet to make a competitive start for Pearce's side - but was an unused sub in the senior side's friendly win over Trinidad & Tobago in June 2008. He was ever-present in Peterborough's League One promotion-winning campaign, keeping 16 clean sheets in 46 appearances, and was also a talented cricketer before choosing a career in football. A Norwich City fan, he started his career at Carrow Road, but didn't make a senior appearance for his beloved Canaries.
SCOTT LOACH
Club: Watford
Age: 21
Caps: 2
Made his Under-21 debut in the friendly win over Ecuador in Malaga in February and also figured in the 5-0 friendly win over Norway in March, and was one of three goalkeepers used against Azerbaijan - only two in goal. Only made his Watford debut in the Carling Cup first round win over Bristol Rovers in August, but went on to keep seven clean sheets in 31 Championship appearances. Celebrated his first full season in the Watford side by signing a contract until 2012 and started the last 33 games for his club.
Defenders
MARTIN CRANIE
Club:Portsmouth
Age: 22
Caps: 11 Goals: 0
Has represented England at U17, U18, U19 and U20 level - and has skippered both the Under-18's and Under-19's. He has started five of the 10 qualifiers en route He is yet to start a Premier League game for Portsmouth, but has played twice in the FA Cup. One of the few players to make the south-coast switch from Southampton to Pompey, he has now made 70 career appearances for various clubs, but is yet to find the back of the net. Certainly impressed, at right-back, in the recent warm-up win over Azerbaijan.
ANDREW TAYLOR
Club: Middlesbrough
Age: 22
Caps: 12 Goals: 0
Missed the 2007 Championships in Holland with a toe injury that required surgery, but has started five of the 10 qualifiers this time round. Capped at U16, U17, U18, Under-19 and U20 level and was part of the side that lost 3-1 to France in the final of the UEFA Under-19 Championships in Belfast in July 2005. He suffered relegation with Middlesbrough and he has made 137 career appearances for them and Bradford but is yet to score a goal. His father Kevin is one of the coaches at Boro's famed youth academy.
RICHARD STEARMAN
Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Age: 21
Caps: 3 Goals: 0
Another late call-up, the Wolves defender fills the void left by the injured Steven Taylor. He is yet to make his competitive debut for the Under 21's, having appeared in friendlies against Ecuador, Czech Republic and Azerbaijan. Has also been capped at U17, U18 and U19 level. Celebrated promotion to the Premier League with Wolves this season having appeared in 40 of 46 league games, scoring one goal. A full-back at Leicester and a centre-back at Wolves, he has already shown Stuart Pearce he can also be considered for a place in midfield.
NEDUM ONOUHA
Club: Manchester City
Age: 22
Caps: 18 Goals: 1
The second-most capped player in the squad, is one of four players left over from the 2007 Championships - where he was an ever-present, but had left the field injured before the penalty shoot-out against Holland. He has started six of the 10 qualifiers and his solitary goal came in the qualfying win over Montenegro (September 2007). He has played every minute of City's last 24 games, 18 in the Premier League and is no slouch. He clocked 11.09 seconds for the 100metres, aged just 14. A grade-A student, Nedum could've surely taken any career path, but chose football and is being rewarded.
JAMES TOMKINS
Club: West Ham
Age: 20
Caps: 1 Goals: 0
Made his debut against Azerbaijan having been called into Pearce's squad as one of three uncapped players and in the first minute headed a Johnson cross against the post for Mancienne to score from the rebound. Another one who helped the Under-19 side reach their Championship finals, he has been capped at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level. Made his senior debut for West Ham in 2008, and played 15 times this season scoring one goal. A ball-playing centre-back, comfortable in possession in the true traditions of West Ham.
MICAH RICHARDS
Club: Manchester City
Age: 20
Caps: 5 Goals: 1
Has only played for the Under 21's twice since October 2006, scoring his only goal in the friendly against Slovenia at Hull (August 2008). Has won 11 senior caps, scoring one goal and he became England's fourth-youngest scorer at 19 years and 76 days when he netted in the European Championship qualfying win over Israel at Wembley (September 2007). Is City's youngest-ever international beating Peter Barnes' record of 20 years and 159 days and has made exactly 100 Premier League appearances. For the record, his first name is pronounced My-ker, as in biker!
MICHAEL MANCIENNE
Club: Chelsea
Age: 21
Caps: 12 Goals: 1
Has has played in 10 of the last 11 Under-21 games,scoring after 47 seconds against Azerbaijan, appearing in four of the 10 qualifiers, starting three of them. He has also represented England at U16, U17, U18, U19 levels - and was recently called into Fabio Capello's senior squad. Part of the Chelsea FA Cup-winning squad that beat Everton at Wembley recently he picked up a winners' medal as an unused substitute. He has made 77 club appearances, six for Chelsea this season, but is yet to score. Joined Chelsea's youth system at the tender age of eight. Proudly remembered at the club I coach at, Kingstonian, where he spent one season before joining the Blues.
KIERAN GIBBS
Club: Arsenal
Age: 19
Caps: 3 Goals: 3
The unlikely two-goal hero of the warm-up walloping of Azerbajain, the Arsenal left-back is one of only three teenagers in the England squad. He is yet to make his competitive or full debut for the Under-21's despite a starting 10 of the Gunners' last 11 games in all competitions, as a replacement for Gael Clichy. Made his Under-21 debut as a sub against Ecuador in February and despite the two goals on Monday, has yet to open his account in 30 career appearances for Arsenal and Norwich (15 on loan). He was man of the match against Azerbaijan, despite playing in three different positions - left-back, wide left midfield and then central midfield where he got his goals from.
Midfielders
LEE CATTERMOLE
Club: Wigan Athletic
Age: 21
Caps: 9 Goals: 1
A former England Under 19 captain and Middlesbrough's youngest-ever skipper aged 18 years and 47 days, he joined Wigan for £3.5million at the start of the season. He has had more red cards (two) than Premier League goals (one) to his name this term. He has appeared in five of the qualifying games, starting four of those. His European pedigree includes a fine UEFA Cup run with Boro back in 2006, when he came on as a substitute in the 4-0 final defeat at the hands of Juande Ramos's Sevilla. Has proved himself an excellent signing for Wigan this season and will be hoping to carry that form into these finals.
JAMES MILNER
Club: Aston Villa
Age: 23
Caps: 42 Goals: 8
England's most-capped player ever at Under-21 level, he is also the current top scorer. Has played every minute of the 10 qualifying games to get to Sweden and is the leading scorer with five goals. He started all four games in the 2007 Under-21 Championships and scored both his penalties in the semi-final shoot-out defeat to Holland - but would've missed the final through suspension. At £12million he remains Martin O'Neill's most expensive signing to date. Has also been a member of Fabio Capello's senior squad this season, although he did not of course feature in the last two games and remains uncapped.
CRAIG GARDNER
Club: Aston Villa
Age: 22
Caps: 11 Goals: 2
Has played and started in four of the 10 qualifiers having scored his first goal in the 2-0 friendly win over the Czech Republic at Bramall Lane in November. A boyhood Aston Villa fan, he skippered the side in the FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Everton this season and was also part of the side that condemned Newcastle to relegation on the final day - only his third Premier League start this season. Has signed a new four-year deal at Villa Park. One of the scorers in the drubbing of Azerbaijan, when he showed his considerable versatility by playing on the right side of a front three.
MARK NOBLE
Club: West Ham
Age: 22
Caps: 16 Goals: 3
Like Milner, scored both his penalties in the 2007 shoot-out defeat by Holland, but would've missed the final through suspension - and that having had to cancel a holiday to Mexico following his call-up. Has started seven qualifiers, scoring three goals, including two in the 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland (October 2007) and has been capped at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 level. This season made 29 Premier Legaue appearances for West Ham, scoring three times. Captained the side against Azerbaijan.
ADAM JOHNSON
Club: Middlesbrough
Age: 21
Caps: 15 Goals: 4
After scoring on his first Under-21 start against Portugal (November 2007) three of his four goals have come in his last six appearances and he has appeared seven times in the qualifiers, netting three times. He has also started 14 of the last 15 internationals. Suffered relegation from the Premier League with Middlesbrough after making 16 of his 19 Premier League appearances as a substitute - more than any other Boro player. Has been a stand-out performer for the Under 21s this season, fuelling rumours of interest from none other than Real Madrid!
FABRICE MUAMBA
Club: Bolton Wanderers
Age: 21
Caps: 15 Goals: 0
The DR Congo-born midfielder, who moved to Walthamstow seeking asylum in 1999, has represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level - and has captained the latter. He has appeared in eight of the 10 qualifiers and this season figured in every Premier League game for Bolton, making 35 starts, and three as a sub, following a £5.5million summer switch from Birmingham. He started his career at Arsenal but was prepared to move away from The Emirates to get first-team football - a decision that has paid dividends.
JACK RODWELL
Club: Everton
Age: 18
Caps: 2 Goals: 1
The youngest member of the squad, he made his Under-21 debut in the friendly defeat at the hands of France in March - but opened his account with the seventh of seven against Azerbaijan. He has also represented England at U16, U17 and U19 level. He has played 25 times for Everton this season, scoring once in the FA Cup fifth-round win at Aston Villa. At 16 years and 284 days, he became the youngest player to represent the club in Europe when he played in in the UEFA Cup group stage win over AZ Alkmaar (December 2007). Looks very comfortable for one so young, and many experts have marked him down for a glittering future.
ANDREW DRIVER
Club: Hearts
Age: 21
Caps: 0 Goals: 0
The only uncapped player in the squad, who cancelled holidays in the West Indies and Las Vegas - Mark Noble fashion - to join up with Stuart Pearce's squad. Oldham-born, he moved north of the border aged 12 because of his father's work, but has since scored for Scotland Schoolboys against England Schoolboys. He scored on his senior debut for Hearts in the 4-1 home win over Inverness CT in August and the Jambos have since turned down a £500,000 from Premier League new boys Burnley. His father David is also his agent and a former professional rugby league player.
DANNY ROSE
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Age: 18
Caps: 1 Goals: 0
Made his debut against Azerbaijan and came on as sub and quickly made an impact creating two goals for Kieran Gibbs. He was called into the squad following Danny Welbeck's injury - the first time Pearce has picked him. Has represented England at U19 level and played in the 2-1 win over Scotland that meant qualification for this summer's European Championships - and Danny will head for those finals in Ukraine in July. He is yet to make his Tottenham debut, but made seven league appearances on loan at Championship side Watford this season.
Forwards
GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR
Club: Aston Villa
Age: 22
Caps: 13 Goals: 4
One of four players who has been capped by at senior level, the Villa striker infamously missed out on the 2007 championships in Holland when Stuart Pearce was unable to contact him! He has scored three goals in his last five Under-21 appearances, but has not played in the last five internationals. His qualifying record stands at four goals in eight games and facing Germany will bring back fond memories - he made his U21 debut against them in October 2006 and his senior debut against them in Berlin in November 2008. And, for the record, his first name is pronounce Gay-briel, like the angel, but he is happy to be known as Gabby!
THEO WALCOTT
Club: Arsenal
Age: 20
Caps: 15 Goals: 6
One of four players with senior experience he is England's youngest ever player and youngest ever hat-trick scorer with those three goals against Croatia in the World Cup qualifier in September - and went to the World Cup in 2006. Missed the 2007 Under-21 Championships with a shoulder injury, he has scored one goal in seven qualifying appearances although five of his six Under-21 goals have come in competitive matches. Became the world's most expensive teenager when he joined Arsenal from Southampton in January 2006 and despite concerns at The Emirates, Theo was determined to be in Sweden even though he has been involved with the senior squad and missed the U21 training camp in Spain.
FRAIZER CAMPBELL
Club: Manchester United
Age: 21
Caps: 10 Goals: 3
Poised for a £6million move to Hull City this summer, he is yet to start a competitive game for Stuart Pearce's side, or score a competitive goal. But he has scored on all three of the four occasions he has started friendlies, against Norway (March 2009), Ecuador (February 2009) and Czech Republic (November 2008). His qualifying appearances have been limited to three substitutes' appearances en route to Sweden, but does have a European pedigree of sorts, having spent the 2006-07 season on loan at Belgian side Antwerp, where he scored 21 goals in 31 Division Two appearances. Started Manchester United's first game of the season against Newcastle and was only denied a goal by a fine Shay Given save - I wonder how his season would have developed had that gone in.
Comments (10)
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Gareth Oliver (Liverpool fan) says...
Looking through that team i see alot of 22 year olds and a 23 year old in there. What are the rules on this considering its an under 21's competition? I remember at the olympics hearing a rule along the lines of allowing 3 players up to the age of 23 to play which allowed babel, messi and mascherano to represent their teams.
Posted 14:30 15th June 2009
Neil Sehra (Aston Villa fan) says...
With the wealth of expeerince in this squad!!I think they will win no doubt. Especially with the players in the squad.
Posted 00:59 15th June 2009
Lican Mukondo (Arsenal fan) says...
the team/club is being run by a great manager in Wenger.there may be noone who cost the club £80m but rest assured that wel will compete better in the champions league this season comming.check the two teams in the c/league final in may next year.
Posted 22:10 14th June 2009
Bobby Cutlass (Arsenal fan) says...
Looks like a good side. Lets hope they can live up to their potential and win the competition.
Posted 13:20 14th June 2009
Andy Jackson (Hartlepool United fan) says...
i really fancy our chances in these championships the injury to Steven Taylor is a major blow as he is a top class defender for such a young man however i feel with the quality going forward and the attacking options peace has available to him i really do feel confident (good luck lads).
Posted 10:43 14th June 2009
Charlie Wills (Arsenal fan) says...
If its under 21's .. how come they have 22-23 year olds playing ?
Posted 21:11 13th June 2009
Mark Pettitt (Chelsea fan) says...
Why are 8 of these players over the age of 21? Considering that this is meant to be the Under 21's Championship that strikes me as very odd, especially with the inclusion of J. Milner at the age of 23. Surely the point of the U21's Championships is that it's a competition where players are 21 years old or less.......
Posted 20:04 13th June 2009
Jack Dyer (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Where is huddlestone and wheater? i like the sound of walcott and gabby and frazier, but still think spain or italy should win it.
Posted 18:27 13th June 2009
Matthew Perry (Birmingham City fan) says...
Hart, Richards, Onouha, Mancienne, Gibbs, Milner, Noble, Cattermole, Johnson, Walcott, Agbonlahor
Posted 01:42 13th June 2009
Alex Rhodes (Hull City fan) says...
come on fraizer campbell get england into the final!! and get hull city mid table next season ;)
Posted 13:22 12th June 2009
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