England will have to face some heavy hitters if they want to defend their U21 European Championship title in Slovakia.

Lee Carsley oversaw a dominant tournament win for the Young Lions two years ago and will now try to go back-to-back.

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In 2023, a superstar squad became the first England side since 1984 to win the tournament.

The Young Lions didn’t concede a single goal and beat Spain 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy.

Now, Carsley will be looking to mastermind another run at the title.

England at 2025 Under-21 Euros

England will kick-off their campaign in the group stage against Czechia on Thursday, June 12, on the second day of the tournament.

Carsley’s young side then battle Slovenia three days later before taking on Germany the following Wednesday.

All games will be shown live in the UK on free-to-air Channel Four, who have the rights to screen the entire Under-21 Euros.

talkSPORT will also be broadcasting England’s group stage games at the U21 European Championship on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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England U21 team news and squad

A number of Premier League stars have been named in Carsley’s England Under-21 squad.

Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah will be expected to play key roles in the defensive unit as they both made the cut.

Sunderland standout Jobe Bellingham and Nottingham Forest dynamo Elliott Anderson are also included.

However, there is no Liam Delap as he will join Chelsea for the upcoming Club World Cup.

• Goalkeepers: James Beadle, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Tommy Simkin
• Defenders: Charlie Cresswell, Ronnie Edwards, CJ Egan-Riley, Tino Livramento, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Jarell Quansah
• Midfielders: Elliott Anderson, Jobe Bellingham, Archie Gray, Hayden Hackney, Jack Hinshelwood, James McAtee, Tyler Morton, Alex Scott
• Forwards: Harvey Elliott, Omari Hutchinson, Sam Iling Junior, Ethan Nwaneri, Jonathan Rowe, Jay Stansfield

England route to final

Group stage

Thursday June 12
Czech Republic vs England — C4, talkSPORT 2 – 8pm ko

Sunday June 15
England vs Slovenia — C4, talkSPORT – 5pm ko

Wednesday June 18
England vs Germany — C4, talkSPORT 2 – 8pm ko

Quarterfinals

Via UEFA ranking, If England top Group B…

Sunday June 22
QF match 3: England vs Italy

Semifinals

Match 2: England vs Netherlands

Final

Saturday June 28
Winners semifinal 1 vs Winners semifinal 2

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If England finish as runners-up…

Quarterfinals

Saturday June 21
QF match 1: Spain vs England

Semifinals

Wednesday June 25
Match 1: England vs Portugal/France or Finland/Ukraine/Denmark

Final

Saturday June 28
Winners semifinal 1 vs Winners semifinal 2