England U21 v Spain U21

European Under-21 Championship

• Group B: England v Spain


• Venue: Herning Stadion, Denmark


• Date: Sunday, 12 June


• Kick-off: 1945 BST


• Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

England's U21 side prepare for their game against Spain

England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce insists his side are capable of beating highly rated rivals Spain in their European Championship opener on Sunday.

England beat Spain on the way to finishing runners-up in the tournament two years ago and both sides are among the favourites this time around.

"Every game we approach, with this group of players, we feel as though we can win," said Pearce.

"We set out to win the match - that's what we do."

Although England and Spain are considered as potential winners of the competition, Pearce was quick to point out the quality of group rivals Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

"The Spanish are decent but they didn't win their group," Pearce said.

ENGLAND'S EURO U21 RECORD

• 1978 - semi-final


• 1980 - semi-final


• 1982 - winners


• 1984 - winners


• 1986 - semi-final


• 1988 - semi-final


• 1990 - did not qualify


• 1992 - did not qualify


• 1994 - did not qualify


• 1996 - did not qualify


• 1998 - 8th place play-off


• 2000 - group stage


• 2002 - group stage


• 2004 - did not qualify


• 2006 - qualification play-off


• 2007 - semi-finals


• 2009 - final

"We've come here as number one seeds in Europe over a three-year period - we didn't win our group.

"The Czechs walked their group against the holders, and also the Icelandics were in their group. That's a mark of how good the Czechs are.

"The Ukrainians are unbeaten in their group, so it's a really tough group.

"On top of that, whoever gets out of this group, they know full well that there are two nations waiting for them in the semi and final that are going to be really tough as well."

Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara added spice to the game against England when the Barcelona youngster claimed he had not heard of any of England's players apart from the absent Jack Wilshere and Micah Richards.

Pearce himself is disappointed that some players are not available for the tournament but he is likely to use Alcantara's comments to motivate his players - although he admitted he has yet to decide on his starting line-up or captain.

"We have not picked the team so when we pick the team it is fair to say the captain will be in the starting XI, but until we pick the team we don't know who it will be," said Pearce.

England Under-21 squad

Goalkeepers:

Frankie Fielding (Derby County), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough), Alex McCarthy (Reading)

Defenders:

Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Phil Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Michael Mancienne (Hamburg), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), James Tomkins (West Ham United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders:

Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Sinclair (Swansea City)

Forwards:

Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Connor Wickham (Ipswich Town)