UEFA U21 Euro 2009

This coming week not only does the Confederations Cup start but so does the UEFA U21 European Championships. This summer the tournament is being held in Sweden. England, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belarus, Serbia, Finland and hosts Sweden are the teams vying for the U21 Euro Championship trophy. The matches kick off on Monday with England - Finland followed by Spain - Germany.

There are two groups in this tournament:

Group A:
Belarus
Italy
Serbia
Sweden

Group B:
England
Finland
Germany
Spain

Italian Squad:

Goalkeepers: Andrea Consigli (Atalanta), Salvatore Sirigu (Cagliari), Andrea Seculin (Fiorentina).

Defenders: Marco Andreolli (Sassuolo), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Paolo De Ceglie (Juventus), Lino Marzoratti (Empoli), Marco Motta (Roma), Francesco Pisano (Cagliari), Andrea Ranocchia (Bari).

Midfielders: Ignazio Abate (Torino), Antonio Candreva (Livorno), Alessio Cerci (Atalanta), Luca Cigarini (Atalanta), Daniele Dessena (Sampdoria), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Piermario Morosini (Vicenza), Andrea Poli (Sassuolo).

Forwards: Robert Acquafresca (Cagliari), Mario Balotelli (Inter), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus), Alberto Paloschi (Parma).

06/16/09 - Italy - Serbia
06/19/09 - Sweden - Italy
06/23/09 - Belarus - Italy

Spanish Squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Asenjo (Real Valladolid CF), Roberto Jiménez (RC Recreativo de Huelva), Antonio Adán (Real Madrid CF)

Defenders: Chico (UD Almería), César Azpilicueta (CA Osasuna), Nacho Monreal (CA Osasuna), Sergio Sánchez (RCD Espanyol), Marc Torrejón (RCD Espanyol), Miguel Torres (Real Madrid CF), Iván Marcano (Real Racing Club)

Midfielders: Javi Martínez (Athletic Club Bilbao), Raúl García (Club Atlético de Madrid), Esteban Granero (Getafe CF), Sisi (RC Recreativo de Huelva), Javi García (Real Madrid CF), Mario Suárez (RCD Mallorca), José Manuel Jurado (RCD Mallorca), Pedro León (Real Racing Club), Diego Capel (Sevilla FC)

Forwards: Bojan Krkić (FC Barcelona), Adrián López (Málaga CF), Xisco (Newcastle United FC), Jonathan Pereira (Real Racing Club)

06/15/09 - Spain - Germany
06/18/09 - Spain - England
06/22/09 - Finland - Spain

06/26/09 - Semi-finals
06/29/09 - Final

Spain may have a problem with Germany and England. Both teams have very good U21 squads. Italy has it a little easier but will have to be careful of Serbia. Italy have the best record in the U21's having won the tournament five times. Spain have won the competition twice. If your in the United States you can watch the matches on Setanta starting Monday morning.