A SUMMER OF TOURNAMENTS

The Women's Euros may be the major showpiece of 2025, but other national teams are preparing to go toe-to-toe too, in Morocco, Minneapolis and more...

- Chris Flanagan

Two years ago, England won the Under-21 Euros for the first time since 1984, thanks to a host of names who've since gone on to prosper in the Three Lions' senior squad.

Curtis Jones inadvertently deflected in Cole Palmer’s shot to put the Young Lions ahead in the final against Spain, before James Trafford’s dramatic injury-time penalty save sealed victory and allowed captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis to lift the trophy in Georgia.

Levi Colwill, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes and Noni Madueke also took to the field that day, prior to making senior England debuts, and even their coach Lee Carsley earned a temporary promotion for the Nations League campaign last autumn.

Carsley has since returned to his role as Under-21s chief, as England attempt to retain their Euros title in Slovakia. They breezed through qualifying, shellacking Serbia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan 9-1, 7-0 and 7-0 respectively, the latter of those routs coming under interim boss Ben Futcher when Carsley was keeping the big seat warm for Thomas Tuchel.