England U21 vs Czech Republic U21 LIVE commentary: Young Lions begin European Championship title defence
England will begin their U21 European Championship title defence tonight when they take on Czech Republic, live on talkSPORT 2.
The Young Lions are in Slovakia two years after they lifted the trophy and got their hands on silverware for the first time in 40 years.
Manager Lee Carsley led his side to glory then, and he remains on the touchline this time around, looking to repeat his achievements.
England’s squad includes an incredible amount of talent, including Harvey Elliott, Ethan Nwaneri, Elliot Anderson, and Archie Gray.
Manchester City’s James McAtee will captain his country while Tino Livramento and Jarrell Quansah are also going to star.
Their Group B campaign starts against the Czech Republic this week, before clashes follow against Slovenia and Germany.
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England U21 vs Czech Republic U21: talkSPORT coverage
This UEFA U21 European Championship clash will take place on Thursday, June 9.
It will be played at the DAC Stadion in Slovakia with kick-off scheduled for 8pm UK time.
talkSPORT 2 will have live commentary of the game from James Fielden and former England U21 midfielder Darren Ambrose.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
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You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Fans can watch the game live and free-to-air on Channel 4 too.
England U21 vs Czech Republic U21: Team news
England U21 (4-3-3) XI: Beadle; Livramento, Cresswell, Quansah, Gray; Anderson, Scott, Elliott; McAtee, Hutchinson, Rowe.
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Simkin, Edwards, Egan-Riley, Norton-Cuffy, Hackney, Morton, Fellows, Hinshelwood, Nwaneri, Stansfield, Iling-Junior.
Czech Republic U21 (3-4-1-2) XI: Hornicek; Spacil, Prebsl, Chaloupek; Hadas, Vydra, Stransky, Suchomel; Danek; Sejk, Fila.
Subs: Borek, Koutny, Kozeluh, Kricfalusi, Labik, Paluska, Halinsky, Karabec, Visinsky, Sojka, Langhamer, Vecheta.
England U21 group stage fixture schedule
Group stage
- Thursday June 12 - Czech Republic vs England - 8pm
- Sunday June 15 - England vs Slovenia - 8pm
- Wednesday June 18 - England vs Germany - 8pm
England U21 vs Czech Republic U21: What has been said?
England U21 boss Carsley signed a new deal ahead of the tournament and he’s looking forward to leading the team into the Euros.
He said: "We’re definitely going out to try and do that [defend the U21 European Championship title].
“It’s important that this next generation of England players believe that they can win major tournaments.
“These players are used to playing with that expectation day in, day out, so it should be no different with England.”
On facing Czech Republic, he added: “It's so important that you get off to a good start.
“We showed in our previous campaign that Czech Republic are a very difficult team to play against.
“We played against them in the qualifying campaign as well, so we expect a very difficult, tough game.”