Getting to the final is irrelevant - I am happy to say we will win it

David Platt

Dunn will bring plenty of experience to the squad

All of the squad have big match Premiership experience except Brighton's Bobby Zamora, who finished top scorer in Division Two this season, and David Prutton, who Platt nurtured at Nottingham Forest.

But England have to negotiate their way through a tough group if they are to fulfil Platt's prophecy.

Switzerland

England's first match is against hosts Switzerland, who are participating in their first European U-21 tournament.

But the Swiss, who last week won the Under-17 event, will be no pushover as they were unbeaten in finishing top of a qualifying group which included Yugoslavia and Russia.

The home side will also include several full-time internationals after the senior side failed to qualify for the World Cup in Korea and Japan.

England must get something out of the Swiss if they are going to qualify for the semi-finals - as they have also drawn Italy and Portugal.

Italy

Four times champions and holders Italy have an impressive record in the tournament and their 5-2 away demolition of Poland in the play-offs underlined their determination to keep their crown.

Defoe has impressed with West Ham

Italy can boast a plethora of striking talent: Empoli's Massimo Maccarone was top scorer with four goals during the qualifying stages, with Parma striker Emilio Bonazzoli and AS Roma's Antonio Cassano both bagging three each.

But England have a decent record against Italy at U-21 level, winning four, drawing four and losing just three in all.

Portugal

Portugal, on the other hand, are rightly viewed as one of the giants of U-21 football.

The two-time world champions had few problems qualifying for the tournament - netting 22 times and conceding just four goals.

Dangermen include Porto striker Paulo Costa, who scored five during Portugal's qualifying campaign, and Benfica duo Miguel Monteiro and Simao Sabrosa.

Tournament Schedule:

Group A

17 May - Italy v Portugal (1930 BST)
17 May -England v Switzerland (1915)

20 May - Italy v England (1930)
20 May - Portugal v Switzerland (1600)

22 May - Switzerland v Italy (1930)
22 May - Portugal v England (1930)

Group B

16 May - Greece v Belgium (1900)
16 May - France v Czech Republic (1800)

19 May - Greece v France (1530)
19 May - Belgium v Czech Republic (1500)

21 May - Czech Republic v Greece (1930)
21 May - Belgium v France (1930)

Semi-Finals

25 May - Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A
25 May - Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B

Final

28 May - European Under-21 Final (1930)