U20 World Cup

[BR0B0T]

Second half has started really well

[Royal Rother]

This 5' 3" Venezuelan lad Soteldo look a bit useful!

[bcubed]

Solanke has bad facial injury
And may be subbed

[BR0B0T]

furking pen

[bcubed]

Saved!

[BR0B0T]

saved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bcubed]

Maitland-Niles on
Now 4 double barrelled players!

[bcubed]

Superb
Well done England

That was tense though

[AthleticoSpizz]

Anyone got the squad details....haven't we got one of our lads involved?

a little research says that it was GK Luke Southwood.

Anybody know the crowd attendance?

[glass half full]

Well done, lads!

This is very encouraging.

[double d]

5 years time wc champs this is the golden generation

[CountryRoyal]

Anyone got the squad details....haven't we got one of our lads involved?

a little research says that it was GK Luke Southwood.

Anybody know the crowd attendance?

30k ish.

Well done to the lads but a note on the media. This is a huge factor as to why the national team consistently struggles. Already articles with notions and suggestions with phrases floating about like "golden generation" and "future stars". Overhyped and then put unrealistic pressure on, and then as soon as there is the slightest hint of failure it's persecution and negative hysteria.

[Sutekh]

Anyone got the squad details....haven't we got one of our lads involved?

a little research says that it was GK Luke Southwood.

Anybody know the crowd attendance?

30k ish.

Well done to the lads but a note on the media. This is a huge factor as to why the national team consistently struggles. Already articles with notions and suggestions with phrases floating about like "golden generation" and "future stars". Overhyped and then put unrealistic pressure on, and then as soon as there is the slightest hint of failure it's persecution and negative hysteria.

Also, it's really not that new. England's youngsters have generally been pretty useful down the years but it continually never develops into anything more than an international side that's just about good enough to get to the last 8 of tournaments with a bit of wind behind it.

Now watch them all go - mostly straight into the odd league cup squad here and there and on loan to Doncaster/Peterbrough etc. for the season.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Anyone got the squad details....haven't we got one of our lads involved?

a little research says that it was GK Luke Southwood.

Anybody know the crowd attendance?

30k ish.

Well done to the lads but a note on the media. This is a huge factor as to why the national team consistently struggles. Already articles with notions and suggestions with phrases floating about like "golden generation" and "future stars". Overhyped and then put unrealistic pressure on, and then as soon as there is the slightest hint of failure it's persecution and negative hysteria.

thanks CR.
Hopefully they will find enough top-level vacancies that need filling.

[Hoop Blah]

Agreed on the media hype aspect.

It's a great result for these lads, and a long overdue achievement really, but we've had squads just as talented as this bunch, if not more so and sides that have been contention and won international tournaments over the years but listening to the soundbites and reading the headlines celebrating it all sounds over the top.

How many of this bunch will go on to be decent Premier League players or Senior team internationals? Not many if you ask me.

Great result though and hopefully the Under 21s will take a bit of confidence from it and perform well at the Euro's as a result.

[bcubed]

a little research says that it was GK Luke Southwood.

Anybody know the crowd attendance?

30k ish.

Well done to the lads but a note on the media. This is a huge factor as to why the national team consistently struggles. Already articles with notions and suggestions with phrases floating about like "golden generation" and "future stars". Overhyped and then put unrealistic pressure on, and then as soon as there is the slightest hint of failure it's persecution and negative hysteria.

Also, it's really not that new. England's youngsters have generally been pretty useful down the years but it continually never develops into anything more than an international side that's just about good enough to get to the last 8 of tournaments with a bit of wind behind it.

Now watch them all go - mostly straight into the odd league cup squad here and there and on loan to Doncaster/Peterbrough etc. for the season.

Agreed but we've won a football World Cup!!!!!!!

[Hoop Blah]

The Under 21s kick off their Euros this afternoon (5pm) against defending champions Sweden.

[Hoop Blah]

Reading's own John Swift comes into the England side for this afternoons game vs Slovakia. It's billed as a must win after the 0-0 draw with Sweden in the opening game.

[Stranded]

Reading's own John Swift comes into the England side for this afternoons game vs Slovakia. It's billed as a must win after the 0-0 draw with Sweden in the opening game.

Did OK but looked knackered before he was subbed. Good come from behind win for England.

Structure of the tournament is a bit weird as they have increased the participating teams to 12 but still go direct to a semi final round after the groups. So only the group winners and best runner up proceed. England will need to beat Poland in their last game as 5 points probably won't be enough to qualify.

Draw could be enough to win group though, if Sweden beat Slovakia by 1 goal but score less goals that England. i.e. England draw 2-2 and Sweden win 1-0. England top group on GD.

If England draw 1-1 though then group winner will be decided on either disciplinary record in tournament or the UEFA coefficient - which both favour England at the moment.

[Hoop Blah]

I saw a headline on Get Reading that Swift inspired the England side to victory or something to that effect. What a load of tosh, he was pretty average before being subbed.

Anyway, they play their final group game this evening, against Poland, and a win will secure them the group and progression to the semi-finals. A draw could be enough and I think even a loss too, if the other result goes their way.