20 Jul 2008
VIDEO: U19s training

See the England U19 squad in action on the training pitch in the Czech Republic.

England

3-0

Greece

Mee 48, Sears 68 (pen), Sturridge 85

 

 

UEFA European U19 Championship
The U Nisy Stadium, Liberec, Czech Republic
6pm (local time) Sunday 20 July 2008
Click here for the full tournament details 

Whilst the England U19 squad return home on Monday following their exit from the UEFA European U19 Championship, in just over a year’s time they could all be joining up together again to partake in the FIFA U20 World Cup.

Taking place in Egypt in September 2009, the players used by Head Coach Brian Eastick in the Czech Republic this year will all still be eligible for that tournament.

Eastick now hopes that whether it is himself, or anyone else who is in charge of the group, they will be able to make full use of the players at what is a difficult time in the calendar given that the domestic season is in full swing by then.

With several members of this squad having played in the U17 World Cup finals in Korea last year and now these finals, Eastick feels that the experience gained by those involved can prove invaluable to their development.

“It’s important that we qualified for the World Cup and a terrific opportunity for our young players to go and play against some of the best players in the world,” revealed Eastick.

“We’ll be playing against the South American countries and teams from all over the world, so that in itself is something to look forward to.

“We certainly hope that we can give the best players the opportunity to go and compete in that situation.”

With the majority of the U19 squad for this tournament already having represented their various clubs at first team level, in 13 months many of them could be first team regulars so that may mean difficulty in securing their services for the World Cup.

That all remains to be seen though, but Eastick certainly feels that it is a competition that should be embraced.

“There will be a conflict there as it’s in September during the season and English football revolves very much around club football,” he added.

“Let’s hope that we can be strong and allow our best players to sample that World Cup.

“It’s certainly something to look forward to for us.”