Hello again.

It’s been a hectic but highly exciting time for me recently. First there was the dramatic end to the Premiership season. Then I was lucky enough to be at the historic FA Cup Final at the new Wembley. And finally I was in Athens for the Champions League final, to see Milan’s victory over Liverpool.

Now the dust has settled on the dramatic climax to the club season it’s good to take a step back, and look ahead to an event that’s been quietly on the horizon for some time, but which is now set to take centre stage.

The European Under-21s championship finals take place in Holland this June and I’ll be there with the England team covering its progress for Sky Sports News. England will be based in the historic Dutch town of Arnhem, and we’ll be with them every step of the way.

These are exciting times for the country’s young footballing talent. England failed to qualify for the 2006 finals, and haven’t won it since 1984 when a young Mark Hateley helped us lift the trophy. Now, as one of 8 teams in Holland, England are genuine contenders, with an array of good young players at their disposal.

This week at Soho Square I sat down with Stuart Pearce to discuss his 23 man squad and our chances of winning. Few men wore the England shirt with as much pride as Pearce, and it’s clear he’s intent on helping his side bring back some silverware this summer. It was the first time he’d spoken publically since leaving Manchester City, and I sensed that setback has made him even more determined to do well with the U21s, and prove a few people wrong.

Pearce is an honest and open interviewee, and you can't help but wish him well. His fist-pumping, heart on sleeve, warrior-like performances as a player at Euro 1996 will never be forgotten by any England fan. And I'd love to see a repeat of that emotion, from the dugout in Holland, if he can lead his players to glory this summer.

England's U21s have a real chance to capture the imagination of the sporting public. Our coverage of their matches and all the build-up will be comprehensive and with no other major international tournament taking place, if Pearce’s side do well they could make a big impact.

The squad contains players in form, and with plenty of regular Premiership experience; men like Justin Hoyte, Anton Ferdinand, Leighton Baines, Nigel Reo-Coker, Tom Huddlestone, Leroy Lita, James Milner and Matt Derbyshire.
Others, like David Bentley, Scott Carson and David Nugent have been in senior England squads too, and their experience will prove invaluable when the going gets tough out in the Netherlands. This country is often criticised for not producing enough young talent; But consider this; allowing for injuries and senior squad commitments, Pearce could theoretically have chosen Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Micah Richards and Aaron Lennon too!

Quite frightening.

This has been some year for our U21s. I was lucky enough to see them play the first ever match at the new Wembley against Italy in March. The game was a thrilling 3-3 draw and will be remembered for Giampaolo Pazzini’s hat-trick and David Bentley’s wonderful free-kick. The Blackburn man will be expected to deliver more of that in Holland where we’ll again face Italy in the group stage, along with the Czech Republic and Serbia.

It’s interesting how seriously countries are now taking their U21 sides. They really are treated as an advanced finishing school for the next batch of players that will represent the nation at full senior level. It’s why former Chelsea players Gianfranco Zola and Pierlugi Casiraghi run the Italian side. And it’s why someone like Stuart Pearce can’t wait for the competition to begin, especially after he was forced to miss that Wembley game because of club commitments.

This isn’t the senior team. It’s not a World Cup or Euro ’08 yet. But that doesn’t matter. These are the country’s best young players. It’s England.

The man they called Pscho's running the show. They had to beat Germany to get here. 60,000 went to watch them play at Wembley. And if, in Holland, they reach the semi-finals or beyond, expect the whole country to get behind them.

If you have a question for Dan about sport journalism or any of his travels, email us at editor@thefa.com.