England’s Under-21s are one of  the favourites to win the European Championship.

The young Lions reached the semi-finals in 2017 and they are looking for the top prize this time around, something that they have not done since 1984.

“It is knockout football from day one,” said head coach Aidy Boothroyd.

“My players just want to get going. You don’t get the luxury of having a game to just assess things whether you win, lose or draw and then have the next game to accumulate some points.

“With this you are at it from the start. You know teams are going to need to attack to win the groups or claim the best runners-up spot. How does that change what we do?

“It doesn’t really because we look to play and win every single game. That’s what we’ve talked about. It isn’t going to be as easy as just saying that but we are looking to win the game.”

The bookies currently have four sides priced at 9/2 or shorter in the outright betting.

As things stand it’s hosts Italy who are 3/1 favourites to go all the way ahead of England and Germany (4/1 apiece), with France out at 9/2.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “There’s plenty of talent across Italy over the next couple of weeks and while the hosts might be favourites for the U21 Euros, England are right up there among the favourites.”