BBC SPORT | FOOTBALL | Young guns blazing glory trail

England are playing host to the Uefa Under-16 Championships and have impressed several high-profile onlookers on their way to the last four, as BBC Sport's Haydn Parry discovered.

England have exceeded their own expectations in reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Under-16 European Championships.

Especially after the hosts began the tournament with a 3-1 defeat against Italy.

However, they bounced back with wins over Switzerland and Hungary to reach the quarter-finals, where they faced Germany.

England celebrate during penalty shoot-out win

The game ended 1-1 after extra time and, bucking the usual trend in internationals between the two nations, England beat the Germans 5-3 on penalties.

The England Under-16 management team have been delighted with their charges' progress over the last fortnight and are relishing the opportunity the tournament has presented.

Assistant coach Kenny Swain explained: "You can have friendly after friendly but you only really test them with competition.

"These European Championships don't come along too often - it's a two year cycle for these boys building up to now.

"After all, what we're looking to do in our department and the FA is to provide the England internationals of the future."

Predictably, a host of football scouts and agents have flocked to the England games so far.

Although all the boys in the England squad are already with clubs, many won't sign full professional terms until they turn 16.

Some will end up without professional contracts.

People are expecting very good things from these kids

Talent spotter Ces Podd

Among the talent-spotters for the opening games has been Ces Podd, the ex-Bradford City stalwart who is now working for HN Sports Management.

He said: "They've got a very strong squad, it's as good as some of the sides that developed people like Stephen Gerrard.

"People are expecting very good things from these kids."

Although players haven't developed to their full potential at this level, the scouts know what to look for.

Podd says that many use the basic TIPS system, which was first developed by Italian giants Juventus: "T for technique, I for Intelligence, P for Personality and S for Speed.

"If a player has all those qualities a coach knows that he is on the way to achieving what they're looking for. Obviously, the ability has got to be there but with those attributes, a young player has the right potential."

This is historically an extremely tough competition and shows that the youngsters have a good aptitude for tournament football

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson

England's senior coach Sven Goran Eriksson was impressed with the way England kept their nerve in a penalty shoot-out triumph over Germany.

"I'm extremely proud of the under 16s' achievement in reaching the semi-finals," said Eriksson.

"This is historically an extremely tough competition and shows that the youngsters have a good aptitude for tournament football.

"A great deal of effort and investment has gone into the youth development programme which hopefully can allow us to also have success with the senior team.

"The under-16s have already shown they have great mental strength in beating Germany on penalties in the quarter-finals.

"I am aware of the famous penalty shoot-outs between the two countries at the 1990 World Cup semi-finals and during Euro 96.

"It gave me great pleasure to see our youngsters scoring all five penalties in Sunday's shoot-out in such a confident manner.

"While I would be delighted to see England go on and win the tournament, everyone connected with the team can already be proud of their achievement in reaching this stage."

The England youngsters will now tackle France in the semi-finals at St James' Park on Thursday with the winners meeting either Spain or Croatia in Sunday's final at the Stadium of Light.


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