ENGLAND are edging close to their first Under-21 Euros title in 39 years after a flawless tournament so far.
The Young Lions are yet to concede a goal all competition, last beating Israel 3-0 in the semi-final.
But now they come up against a Spanish side who have won three out of the last seven tournaments.
- Kick-off time: 5pm BST
- Live stream: UEFA.com
- TV channel: Channel 4
- England XI: Trafford; Garner, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Aarons; Gomes, Jones; Palmer, Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe; Gordon
- Spain XI: Tenas, V.Gomez, Pacheco, Paredes, Miranda, Blanco, Baena, Sancet, Rodri, S.Gomez, Ruiz.
Follow ALL the latest action with our live blog below…
England U21 0-0 Spain U21
6. So unlucky. England have the first big chances.
Smith Rowe does well and Gordon fires a shot at goal – it’s pushed out by Tenas and the rebound doesn’t fall for Palmer.
England get in again straight after, Gordon puts a low cross in for Gibbs-White ready to tap home from close range but Pacheco gets a toe on the ball to divert it away from the Forest star.
England U21 0-0 Spain U21
4. England are so confident in possesion.
Colwill baits the Spanish into pressing before passing back to Trafford.
He fires the ball into Gomes in the midfield pivot and he gets Carsley’s side moving forward.
This Spanish side look ready for the physical battle though with a couple of trips and pushes already.
England U21 0-0 Spain U21
2. England have settled in nicely here.
They are pressing well and have forced Spain into long hopeful balls already that the Young Lions defence have gobbled up.
Palmer spins Miranda and wins a free-kick.
Kick-Off
1. The final is underway.
England are hoping to bring the trophy home for the first time since 1984.
Spain are the most successful side in tournament history and will look to make it their sixth championship.
Credit: Getty National anthems
The players walk out of the tunnel in Batumi for the final.
Kick-off is just minutes away with the national anthems being sung.
High praise
Both managers have shown each other huge respect ahead of the final.
Lee Carsley said: “Spain, along with three or four others, have always been high quality and had exciting individuals.
“Watching La Liga there is a very similar style at the top. It’s always good to learn and watch good teams play.”
Spain gaffer Santi Denia said: “I wouldn’t like to mention any individuals in the England team. They’re a great side.
“I would like to praise the job my colleague, Lee, has done with the team. They’ve had a great tournament so far, and he’s done a great job.”
Clean sheet specialists
With the players out on the pitch warming-up, Taylor Harwood-Bellis spoke yesterday about the pride he feels after keeping five clean sheets in a row en route to the final.
The centre-back said: “It’s something the whole team takes pride in.
“The team can suffer, like against Portugal. We’ve got it in our locker to stick together and put your body on the line to keep it out.
“James Trafford [goalkeeper] has been a massive part of that but I could go through all the bench and they’d all do the same.”
Credit: Getty Club-like atmoshphere
England manager Lee Carsley has hailed the club-feel amongst the squad.
He said: “These four weeks has felt the most like a club we’ve had it in terms of team spirit, the personalities that have developed.
“It’s a shame in that respect [that many of the team will be finished at U21 level afterwards]. One of the benefits is that there is another group waiting to come through.
“I’d like to see this group finish off this campaign with winning it. They deserve it, work so hard and are so diligent.
“The bigger the stage you’ll see a different intensity to the team. I’m looking forward to it.”
Credit: Getty 2009 runners-up
This is England’s first final in the Under-21 Euros since 2009.
The Young Lions were beaten by a German side including Manuel Neuer, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil 4-0.
England that day lined-up with the likes of Mark Noble, Micah Richards and James Milner in the team.
Star Player – Abel Ruiz
Abel Ruiz is leading the scoring charts at the Euros with three goals and has two assist to his name.
The Braga striker is 23-years-old and one of the oldest players eligible.
He came out of Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy and has been capped twice by Spain’s senior side.
It is also worth keeping an eye on Sergio Gomez, the Man City left-back is playing an advanced role on the wing and showing his attacking quality.
Star Player – Gibbs-White
England have impressed in every game and there has been several star performers.
But without Morgan Gibbs-White, the Young Lions would not be the same.
The Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder has played just off striker Anthony Gordon and created chances for fun.
He has the most assists in the tournament with three and he netted the crucial opening goal in the semis with a great looping header.
His passing has been a joy and his quick touches and lay-offs when he drops deep have been key in England’s ability to play a great brand of football.
Further up the pitch, in-perfect through balls have unlocked most defences so far.
Spain Team News
Spain XI: Tenas, V.Gomez, Pacheco, Paredes, Miranda, Blanco, Baena, Sancet, Rodri, S.Gomez, Ruiz.
Subs: Agirrezabala, L.Riquelme, Guillamon, R.Riquelme, Barrenetxea, Arnau, Gila, Veiga, Oroz, Sanchez, Camello, Bernabe.
England Team News
One change from the side that beat Israel in the semi-final with the suspended Max Aarons back in for Luke Thomas.
Starting XI: Trafford; Garner, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Aarons; Gomes, Jones; Palmer, Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe; Gordon.
Subs: Griffiths, Rushworth, Thomas, Skipp, Archer, Branthwaite, Johnson, Cresswell, Doyle, Elliott, Madueke.
Credit: Getty Batumi Arena
The stage is set – the Batumi Arena in Georgia.
The stadium has become England’s second home as this will be the Young Lions’ fourth match there.
Spain have not played in the ground yet with all of their matches being played in the over host nation in Bucharest, Romania.
England boss Lee Carsley said: “It’s definitely a venue we feel comfortable in. From the journey to the stadium, the lads are aware of how far it is and the reception we get.
“The Premier League is very popular in Georgia, you see the shirts everywhere. The players have made a point of signing autographs and meeting the locals.
“We’ve had a lot of kids at training and they’ve been giving them jerseys, that goes a long way.”
Credit: Getty Road to the final
England cruised through their group. They beat holders Germany, runners-up last time Portugal and a defensively stubborn Israel twice along with victory over Czechia.
- Group Stage: England 2-0 Czechia
- Group Stage: England 2-0 Israel
- Group Stage: England 2-0 Germany
- QF: England 1-0 Portugal
- SF: England 3-0 Israel
As for Spain, they beat Ukraine twice, a France side that had some of the best young players in the world and Croatia, who beat England in a pre-tournament friendly.
- Group Stage: Spain 3-0 Romania
- Group Stage: Spain 1-0 Croatia
- Group Stage: Spain 2-2 Ukraine
- QF: Spain 2-1 Switzerland
- SF: Spain 5-1 Ukraine
Super Spain
Spain have developed a reputation for nurturing fantastic and technical players throughout this century and this group are no different.
They have scored an impressive 13 goals en route to the final, including a 5-1 hammering of Ukraine in the semis.
Typical of a Spanish side, they are confident on the ball and look set to be England’s toughest opponents so far.
Untouchable England
England have made the final with a perfect run. Five matches played, ten goals scored and zero conceded.
The Young Lions have oozed quality and shown their superiority and talent in the squad.
Defensively, Levi Colwill and Taylor Harwood-Bellis have not put a foot wrong, offering composure on the ball and fantastic protection to the highly-rated James Trafford between the sticks.
England have been excellent in possession, dominating the ball against every opponent and creating chances for fun via Morgan Gibbs-White and Emile Smith Rowe.
Boss Lee Carsley plays with a rotating front four that has been unstoppable so far.
The Final
England are in the final – will it come home?
The Under-21s have impressed throughout the tournament and are now 90 minutes away from glory.
It is the Young Lions first final since 2009 and they last won this competition in 1984.
We have all the build-up, live text commentary and post-match reaction as Lee Carsley’s side hope to beat Spain.
Credit: PA
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
