We've given Mike Norman a task - to keep you updated on everything that is happening over in Sweden and how the Betfair markets are changing as every day of the U21 European Championships progresses...
Cast your minds back to 20th June 2007. That was the day England U21s lost a dramatic penalty shoot-out 59-58 to Holland, the day Steven Taylor was driven by ambulance to the penalty area so that he could take his spot kick, and more importantly for today's blog, the day Stuart Pearce vowed that England would one day win the UEFA Under-21 Championships.
That day could easily come in two week's time, but first England must play their way out of a difficult looking Group B, starting with today's tournament opener against Finland.
Stuart Pearce's young lions can be backed at [1.35] for an opening day victory, with Finland U21 available to back at [12.5] and The Draw at [5.3]. Click here to read Tobias Gourlay's match preview and recommended bet.
As far as team news is concerned, both teams are expected to be at, or close to full strength, as England's Nedum Onuoha is the only serious injury worry.
The vibes coming from the England camp couldn't be stronger. Pearce himself has just announced that he has verbally agreed to stay on as manager for at least another two years, whilst senior (by U21 standards) players like Lee Cattermole, Micah Richards and James Milner are all confident England can triumph in Sweden.
England have been matched at a high of [5.7] to win the tournament, but now trade at just [4.7] following a relaxed and morale boosting week ahead of the big kick-off. That price will almost certainly shorten if they can ease their way past the Fins later today.
The highlight of the opening round of fixtures is undoubtedly tonight's mouthwatering clash between Spain and Germany; England's other two opponents in Group B. Some future stars will be on show, none more so than Barcelona's wonder kid Bojan Krkic, who is available to back at [7.8] in the tournament's Top Goalscorer market. Also keep an eye on flying winger Diego Capel and Germany's creative midfielder Mesut Ozil.
To read more about these players, and a more in depth match preview, then check out Tobias Gourlay's excellent pre-match thoughts.
Group B will look at lot clearer come 10pm tonight, but if you want to get involved before all four teams show their opening hand then you can back Spain at [2.2] to top the group, England at [2.7], Germany at [3.6], and Finland as big as [22.0]. I will review today's games and how the various markets have been affected in tomorrow's blog.
My own player to watch throughout the tournament is Serbia's highly promising youngster Miralem Sulejmani.
At [12.0] to back, he is worth an interest in the Top Goalscorer market as he is almost certain to play in every game Serbia participate in, he can play anywhere across the attack or just behind as an attacking midfielder, and he has an impressive goal every two games record at this level of football. Serbia are arguably in the weaker of the two groups, and Sulejmani has an excellent opportunity to make a huge impact.
