Team guide: England

Gareth Southgate, having succeeded former international team-mate Stuart Pearce in August 2013, guided England to their fifth consecutive Under-21 finals.

While they won all but one of their 12 matches, the Young Lions started the qualification campaign unspectacularly, picking up four points from unconvincing displays before hitting their stride. They then reeled off eight straight wins to top Group 1 by 12 points, and the play-off defeat of Croatia, beaten 2-1 home and away, merely boosted confidence still further. 

"There are so many players who have played a part in getting us to the finals and every challenge that we've put in front of them they've risen to," said Southgate. "I'm very proud of the group of players and the group of staff who now have the finals to look forward to."

Coach: Gareth Southgate
Born 03/09/1970
Appointed before the start of the 2013–15 campaign, Southgate signed a 12-month contract extension in January running until summer 2017. In 2006, aged 35, the former England defender had been named Middlesbrough manager, a role he left in October 2009 following their relegation from the Premier League.

Final tournament record
2013: group stage
2011: group stage
2009: runnners-up
2007: semi-finals
2006: did not qualify
2004: did not qualify
2002: group stage
2000: group stage
1998: did not qualify
1996: did not qualify
1994: did not qualify
1992: did not qualify
1990: did not qualify
1988: semi-finals
1986: semi-finals
1984: winners
1982: winners
1980: semi-finals
1978: semi-finals

2015 qualifying (including play-off)
P12 W11 D1 L0 F35 A4
Top scorers: Saido Berahino (10)
Ever presents: none

England U21s capped at senior level
John Stones (4 caps), Calum Chambers (3), Harry Kane (2), Jack Butland (1), Carl Jenkinson (1)

Players with previous U21 final tournament experience
Israel 2013: Jack Butland, Nathaniel Chalobah, Nathan Redmond

Most capped player
All-time: James Milner (46)
Current: Jack Butland (30)

Leading scorer
All-time: Alan Shearer, Francis Jeffers (13)
Current: Harry Kane (8)

Biggest wins
Final tournament
6-0: England v Turkey 29/05/00
Group stage, Tehelne Pole, Bratislava

Qualifying 
9-0: England v San Marino  19/11/2013
2015 qualifying group stage, Greenhous Meadow, Shrewsbury 

Biggest defeats
Final tournament 
4-0: Germany v England 29/06/2009
Final, Malmö New Stadium, Malmo

Qualifying: 
4-0: Romania v England 14/10/1980
1982 qualifying group stage, Ilie Oana, Ploiesti

*Statistics last updated 25/06/15