Slovakia - The England U21 team, defending their European Championship title, have made a winning start to the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening group stage match. Liverpool's Harvey Elliott was the hero of the hour, his first-half strike proving decisive in a tense encounter.
The Young Lions, under the guidance of manager Lee Carsley, are aiming to replicate their success from two years ago, and got off to the perfect start in Group B. Despite a spirited performance from the Czech side, it was England who found the breakthrough.
Carsley's new-look squad, valued at an estimated £428.2 million, faced a late disruption with the withdrawal of midfielder Jobe Bellingham, who recently completed a move to Borussia Dortmund and is set to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup. Striker Liam Delap is also absent for similar reasons. West Bromwich Albion's Tom Fellows was called up as a late replacement for Bellingham.
The starting lineup against the Czech Republic featured a wealth of talent with Premier League experience, reflecting the strength in depth of this England generation.
Following this opening victory, England will now turn their attention to their next group stage fixture against Slovenia on Sunday, June 15th. They will then face a stern test against Germany on Wednesday, June 18th, in a match that could be crucial in determining their progression to the knockout stages.
Manager Lee Carsley has spoken of the challenge of retaining the trophy with a refreshed squad, but will be buoyed by the resilience and quality shown in their opening performance. The journey to defend their crown has begun on a positive note, with hopes high for another successful tournament for England's rising stars.
