Frank Nouble scored twice for England against Austria

England made a winning start to the Under-19 European Championship as they beat Austria 3-2 thanks to two goals by West Ham's Frank Nouble.

The 18-year-old striker scored twice in the first half before Austria pulled one back, but Arsenal defender Thomas Cruise extended the lead.

Austria's Gernot Trauner scored to make it a nervous end to the game but Noel Blake's side held on in France.

England face the Netherlands on Wednesday and France on Friday.

The competition features two groups of four teams who will try to qualify for the semi-finals which takes place on 27 July, before the final three days later.

England's performances have taken on an added importance since the senior side's poor showing at the World Cup in South Africa, with many fans wondering where England's future stars might come from.

The Under-17 team provided some cheer for English football earlier this year when they won the European Championship in May, beating Spain in the final.

And Blake will be hoping they can match that achievement, as he was part of the staff for last year's under-19 tournament when England finished runners-up.

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