England Under-21s opened their 2017 European Under-21 Championship campaign with a goalless draw against Sweden Under-21s on Friday afternoon.
Both teams had opportunities to make the breakthrough at the Kielce City Stadion in Poland, but the best chance of the match came for Sweden 10 minutes from time when Ben Chilwell felled Linus Wahlqvist inside the penalty box.
Wahlqvist stepped up to take the spot kick, only to be denied by new Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as the spoils were shared.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live coverage of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live coverage continues from the Kielce City Stadion in Poland as Sweden Under-21s face England Under-21s in the opening game of the European Under-21 Championships. With only the winner of each of the three groups guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals, both of these teams will be desperate to put an early three points on the board. Stay tuned for all of the coverage!
Sweden Under-21s are the holders of this particular trophy, having overcome Portugal Under-21s to land the Under-21 Euro 2015 crown in Czech Republic. England Under-21s, on the other hand, finished bottom of their section during the 2015 tournament after losing two of their three group matches. Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news...
TEAMS!
SWEDEN: Cajtoft; Wahlqvist, Larsson, Dagerstal, Lundqvist; Fransson, Tibbling, Hallberg; Engvall, Olsson, Cibicki
ENGLAND: Pickford; Holgate, Chambers, Mawson, Chilwell; Ward-Prowse, Baker, Chalobah, Murphy; Abraham, Redmond
AIK midfielder Kristoffer Olsson will captain Sweden on his 25th appearance at this level of football, while there are also starts for Simon Tibbling and Alexander Fransson in what is an experienced team. Further forward, Gustav Engvall will be supported by Malmo's Pawel Cibicki. Nine of the XI actually play their club football in Sweden, with Fransson and Tibbling the only two exceptions.
As for England, new £30m Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford starts, while an experienced defence includes Calum Chambers and Alfie Mawson, who both played a lot of Premier League football last season. Chelsea duo Lewis Baker and Nathaniel Chalobah start in the middle of the park, while James Ward-Prowse will win his 28th cap in a wide position. Up top, in-demand Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham is supported by Southampton's Nathan Redmond, who is the top scorer in the squad with nine goals.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just under 20 minutes from kickoff here. With time very much of the essence, let me bring you some key facts and figures surrounding this tournament. An expanded 12 teams will take part this summer, with three groups of four teams...
Group A: England, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden
Group B: Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Spain
Group C: Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy
Each of the three group winners will progress into the semi-finals of the competition, while the runner-up with the best record will also make the final four. All of the group matches will take place over the next eight days, before the two semi-finals take place on June 27. Three days later, the final of the competition will be held – there is no hanging around in this tournament, that is for sure.
There is no question that England Under-21s will be looking to take inspiration from the Under-20s, who incredibly won the Under-20 World Cup last weekend. Aidy Boothroyd has been allowed to select a strong squad for this tournament, but there are a number of strong teams this summer.
England Under-21s, who went unbeaten in qualification to make the finals, will enter this match off the back of a 4-0 victory over Denmark Under-21s in their last international in March. The Three Lions also beat Italy Under-21s towards the end of 2016, but have lost to France Under-21s and Germany Under-21s in two of their last four friendly fixtures. Kickoff is now just about 10 minutes away!
England Under-21s finished as runners-up in the 2009 Under-21 European Championships, but they have been eliminated in the group stage of each of the last three tournaments – winning just one group match. Facing a very talented Swedish outfit is a tough way to start their tournament, but Boothroyd will be looking for all three points here. The rain is really falling in Kielce at the moment.
Like England Under-21s, Sweden Under-21s topped their qualification section with an unbeaten record to book their spot in the finals of the tournament – winning seven of their 10 matches, finishing one point ahead of Spain Under-21s in the process. They are also the reigning champions at this level having overcome Portugal Under-21s on penalties in the final of the 2015 competition.
In terms of what is ahead, England Under-21s will face Slovakia Under-21s on Monday, before finishing the group stage against Poland Under-21s on June 22. Sweden Under-21s, meanwhile, will face Poland Under-21s on Monday before finishing against Slovakia Under-21s. Right, the time for talking is over. Be sure to stay tuned right here for minute-by-minute coverage of the action!
KICKOFF! Sweden kick things off in this Group A clash...
... it must be said that the pitch looks wonderful down there, but the rain continues to fall, which could see the surface cut up! There have already been a couple of tasty tackles in this match, with Sweden's skipper Olsson going down under a very heavy challenge from Chelsea's Chalobah.
Abraham does well to collect a long ball from Pickford before feeding Redmond, who then finds Holgate, but the full-back's cross is too strong, allowing Sweden to restart from the dead-ball line.
There is no question that Sweden are better represented in the stands, but there are a few English voices that can be heard. England have the chance to deliver a free kick into the Sweden box, which Southampton midfielder Ward-Prowse takes, but the team in yellow manage to clear their lines.
England continue to boss the possession in this match, but Sweden certainly look a threat when they have the chance to break the lines. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Just a reminder that only the winner of each of the three groups is guaranteed to make the semi-finals, with the fourth place going to the best of the runners-up.
Super work from Murphy as the Norwich City attacker drives past his defender before delivering into the Sweden box, but Larsson is across to make the challenge. Excellent from Murphy there.
Half-chance for Abraham from a Ward-Prowse corner, but the forward volleys over the crossbar.
Better from Sweden in the last few minutes as they start to enjoy some possession, but it does appear that England will have some joy from set pieces - the Three Lions certainly have a size advantage. The rain has just eased off for the moment, meanwhile, which is good news.
Half-chance for England as Abraham breaks onto a loose ball, but Cajtoft just about does enough to make the clearance. Murphy keeps the ball alive in a wide position as the pressure continues, although Sweden manage to clear after being pinned back. Sweden are under attack here!
Based on the opening 18 minutes, I would be surprised if England did not go on to win this match. Sweden are neat and tidy in possession, but they do look very nervy in a defensive area.
Cibicki has the chance to break into the England box after finding space in a wide position, but the number 18 cannot pick out a teammate as Chambers clears his lines. Sweden, when given the chance, certainly have the ability to pick passes, and that is a danger for England in this match.
Still goalless with 23 minutes on the clock, and we have not yet had a clear chance. Abraham has had just about the best opportunity, with the Chelsea forward firing a Ward-Prowse over the crossbar from close range. Nothing much from Sweden aside from a lot of possession here.
Engvall, who is contracted to Championship club Bristol City, looks to run past Chilwell in a wide position, but the Leicester full-back does well. We are still waiting for the game's first real chance.
Pass, pass, pass from Sweden as they continue to enjoy decent possession of the football here.
CHANCE! Super work from Sweden as Cibicki combines with Engvall before looking to pick out the top corner, but his effort is over the crossbar. Best piece of football so far!
Sweden are growing in confidence here as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. England started the better team, but the side in yellow are enjoying plenty of the ball now.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in this Group A clash, with England and Sweden still level at 0-0. Both teams have had openings, although neither has really taken control of the match.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result. Neither defence is giving too much away at the moment. Just a reminder that only the winner of each of the three groups is guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals of this summer's tournament.
SHOT! Murphy just misses the crossbar with a powerful effort from distance!
It must be said that England have a whole host of talented players on their bench tonight, and it would not be a surprise if Boothroyd was already thinking about changes for the second period. As for Sweden, they are quite comfortable at the moment as they continue to enjoy decent possession.
Abraham continues to cause Sweden's back four problems, but the service into the Chelsea forward has not exactly been great in the last 15 minutes or so. It has been a decent opening 40 minutes of football, but chances - clear ones - have been extremely few and far between here.
Olsson misses Pickford's crossbar with a decent effort from just inside the England box.
Former Arsenal youngster Olsson is seeing plenty of the ball at the moment as the number eight drops into a deep position before feeding teammates in wide positions. The same cannot be said for any of England's attackers, with the side in yellow very much in control at the moment here.
Fransson is fortunate to escape a yellow card for a rash challenge on Holgate in a central area.
CHANCE! Super chance for England as the ball bounces for Abraham inside the Sweden box, but the striker cannot turn home from close range. It was an acrobatic effort!
HALF-TIME: Sweden Under-21 0-0 England Under-21
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Sweden Under-21s and England Under-21s level at 0-0. Both teams have had half-chances to make the breakthrough, although neither has really done enough to deserve to lead this Group A clash at the half-time break.
STATISTICS! England have just about shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had four attempts, although none of those were on target. Sweden, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with either of their two attempts in the first period. No yellow cards to report, and there have actually only been 13 fouls, which is an indication of what has occurred. More excitement is needed here!
BENCH WATCH! England boss Boothroyd has a number of attacking options on his bench tonight, with Gray, Grealish, Hughes, Swift and Woodrow all capable of making an impact in the second period. As for Sweden, head coach Ericson has forward options in the shape of Strandberg and Tankovic.
RESTART! England resume the action in Poland...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
England need a little bit more from the likes of Baker and Ward-Prowse in this second period. Abraham has been dangerous in the final third, although the service into the Chelsea forward has been disappointing. As for Sweden, they have made a pretty lively start to the second 45 minutes here.
Quite an untidy last couple of minutes, although England are enjoying more of the ball as they look to feed Abraham whenever possible. You sense that the Chelsea forward is England's best chance of a goal, with Redmond and Murphy both struggling to show any consistency in this match.
A draw would not be the worst result for either team in this match, and that might play a part if the score remains goalless entering the latter stages. A defeat, on the other hand, would be damaging at this stage of the competition. Neither team is giving too much away at the moment here.
Sweden continue to play their neat and tidy possession, but Pickford has still not had a save to make for England. Sweden are attacking the end where the majority of their supporters are, however, and the noise is starting to build. Still goalless with 56 minutes on the clock here.
CROSSBAR! Sweden come close to taking the lead as Cibicki curls one towards the top corner, but his effort smashes off the crossbar. It would have been a wonderful opening goal!
SWEDEN SUB! Strandberg replaces Engvall for Sweden.
England boss Boothroyd will surely be considering a change as we enter the final 30 minutes of this Group A clash. At the moment, Sweden are looking the more likely team to break the deadlock.
CHANCE! A clever corner from Ward-Prowse finds Baker inside the Sweden box, and the Chelsea midfielder's effort just flies over the crossbar! So close to the opening goal.
Both teams have had decent chances in this second period, but the score remains level. You just get the feeling that something is going to give in the final 25 minutes of this contest.
CHANCE! Strandberg breaks into the England box as Sweden threaten once again, but the forward's effort hits the side-netting. England are looking a little tired at the moment.
CROSSBAR! It is England's turn to hit the crossbar as Chilwell's effort from distance deflects onto the woodwork! Sweden have a big slice of luck in this match!
We are in easily the best period of the match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. There are some tired legs out there, which is creating a very entertaining game.
England have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Olsson fouls Redmond...
ENGLAND SUB! Gray replaces Murphy for England.
SAVE! Ward-Prowse sees his low free kick turned away from goal!
Strandberg looks to use his pace to break clear for Sweden, but Holgate makes a fine challenge!
SWEDEN SUB! Mrabti replaces Fransson in Sweden's second change.
Still goalless with little under 15 minutes of normal time remaining, but there is no question that the second period has been better than the first in terms of excitement. There does seem to be an awful lot of space in both final thirds, and both managers have introduced pace in forward positions.
You just get the feeling that something has to give in the final 10 minutes of this match.
PENALTY SWEDEN!
Sweden have a penalty as Chilwell is adjudged to have felled Wahlqvist inside the box!
SAVE! PICKFORD SAVES WAHLQVIST'S EFFORT!
It is a poor penalty from the Sweden defender as Pickford stays central to make the save!
England are not out of the woods yet, however, as Sweden continue to look dangerous in the final third of the field. Still more than five minutes of football to play in this Group A fixture.
SWEDEN SUB! Tankovic replaces Tibbling for Sweden.
Sweden threaten with a couple of balls into the England box in quick succession, but Holgate stays strong to win a free kick as England look to break out with 87 minutes on the clock here.
A mistake from Pickford causes panic inside the England box as the Everton goalkeeper fails to collect a cross from Wahlqvist, but Holgate is fouled once again as the Three Lions survive.
We are into the first of three additional minutes in this tournament opener.
Baker looks to feed Abraham in a central position once again, but Sweden have a lot of players back as they clear their lines once again. It does appear that the points are going to be shared here.
A nasty clash between Sweden's goalkeeper and Abraham should be the last piece of action here.
Cajtoft is still down here, but Abraham is back on his feet.
FULL-TIME: Sweden Under-21 0-0 England Under-21
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with England Under-21s drawing 0-0 with Sweden Under-21s in their tournament opener. Not a great result for England, but a Jordan Pickford penalty save prevented them from leaving with nothing. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage from Poland once again. Until next time!
