With all the publicity around the club's world's cup, it went under the radar a bit.
Runners-up in the final of 2023, Spain starts the procedure against host country Slovakia, while holders England entertain the Czech Republic a day later before competitions against Germany and Slovenia will complete their assignments in group B.
The Three Lions, under the supervision of Lee Carsley, will emulate the Dave Sexton teams from 1982 and 1984 in winning back-to-back titles.
Everything you need to know about the tournament.
Eve-of-Tournament Boost for the FA
A boost for the team and for the FA is the advantage of the tournament renewal of the Carsley contract.
“I am delighted to extend my time with the FA. It is a privilege to get the chance to work with a young, talented group and to help them develop on the international stage,” Carsley noted after he brought pen for a deal that brought him to the end of the 2027 U21 European Championship.
“Although the future is exciting, our immediate priority is UEFA U21 -Euro in Slovakia this summer.”
Since the final in July 2023, a match won by Curtis Jones in the injury time of the first half, England has only lost twice: 3-2 against Ukraine in October 2023 and 5-3 against France in March of this year.
Highlights in between are a 4-2 victory over Portugal, two 7-0 routs from Azerbaijan and Luxembourg and a 9-1 destruction of Serbia.
Pre-tournament training prior to Squad selection
Carsley and the FA are of course lucky that they can choose from an incredible pool of young people.
Pre-tournament Training will limit the names to a last 23-man team that will be announced on Friday 6 June, and some of the names that are being considered will be known.
Jobe Bellingham, for example, starts to step out of the shadow of his older brother. The Sunderland -Man has helped his team to promote promotion through the play -offs, will draw for Borussia Dortmund and will almost certainly play a major role for his country.
Four goals and three assists for the black cats in 2024/25 is not the best return, but one has to deepen a little deeper to understand the influence of Bellingham.
To begin with, his 85.7% passing accuracy was one of the best in the Sunderland team, while his 244 ball repair was also at the top.
Winning more than 50% of his tackles and also the possibility to seamlessly change the gears and go box-to-box when needed, are all elements of his game that England will trust in the coming weeks.
Elliot Anderson the perfect foil for Bellingham
Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace would have been an excellent foil for Bellingham in midfield, but he had to withdraw from the tournament due to injury.
Depending on the route that Carsley decides to go down, he could do worse than the Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest give responsibility.
The 22-year-old was involved in a colossal 462 one-on-one duels last season, which shows that he is a player who likes to waste his hands in the heat of the fight.
Nottingham Forest -midfielder Elliot Anderson during the Premier League match against Chelsea on the city, Nottinghamčtk / image Sport Photo Service / Wayne Tuckwell
For every team that likes to play an attractive style for the foot, they still need a player who is willing to play and do the 'Water Water' when needed.
However, Anderson is much more than that, and his all -round skills has been an important factor in the forest that will be in Europe this season.
25 shots from the box and 24 of external hints about how often the player comes forward as an additional attacking presence, and his 93.2% Pass -voltage percentage shows how valuable he is when needed to hold the ball and get his team in the field.
Estimate the go-to man in front
With attack, although Dane Scarlett van Tottenham remains a relatively unknown at the moment, he would certainly have had an impact in the tournament, but he too had to withdraw.
But on the current form, however, Carsley certainly cannot look beyond Liam Delap to lead the line.
12 goals in an Ipswich team that has managed only 36 in the Premier League throughout the entire 24/25 season, and who only won four games, indicates that the 22-year-old has hit a real Sweet Spot in terms of what he can bring to the party.
A shooting accuracy of 60.4% cannot be ignored, and even talked about a transfer elsewhere, apparently the most likely with Chelsea, it should not detract from the work.
Ethan Nwaneri is another who proved his value to his team last season, and the experience gained in the first team of Arsenal is guaranteed to be advantageous for the talented teenager.
It was not only the nine goals or two assists, but the personal growth that was of course for everyone who watched a Gunners match last season.
Premier League experience in defense
Defensive, Newcastle's Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah from Liverpool are the striking names, with both looking for a new title this season.
The last won 14 of his 21 tackles that were tried last season, made 15 interceptions and 28 heads, recovered the ball on 59 separate occasions and won 52 duels.
Livramento's 41 tackles won 61 attempt at attempt give him the same 66.7% success rating as Quansah.
Able to get more ahead than his contemporary, a pass accuracy of 87.4% on the channels is certainly useful in games that players need to unlock tight defenses.
Despite the recordings of injuries, Carsley still has a wealth of talent at his disposal, as can be seen by just viewing a handful of players, and the status of England as favorites for tournament is clearly well deserved.