That's just made me think... When did England, and indeed, most of the rest of the world, change from U23 to U21.?
I think we have played the USA U23s before....perhaps they request it. Years ago I thought it was because they were such a weak side, but I doubt that is true now. Sorry....misread your question. Did we use to play U23s?
Wonder what that's about? De Bruyne refused to talk because he had been told not to speak to English press.
Good for us. Graziano has shown he's susceptible to a lack of confidence affecting his scoring ability so this will hopefully help stop his head from dropping (though i do enjoy watching him gesticulate wildly when he's frustrated.)
Yes, right up until 1976 when UEFA changed the age groups. The U23's last match was getting knocked out of the U23 European Championship by Hungary on 23rd March 1976. They beat us 3-0 in Budapest and we won 3-1 at Old Trafford. Our team was: M.Wallington, I.Nattrass, Alan Kennedy, Brian Greenhoff, K.Lock, Ray Wilkins, Steve Coppell, J.Case, Stuart Pearson, G.Paddon, Gordon Hill. Jimmy Case was of course still at Liverpool then.
It's hard enough to get players to play in the U21s without throwing a hissy fit...can you imagine if we went up to U23 (which would include some 24 year olds).
25 year-olds, because the qualification date is at the start of every 2 year European Championship cycle.
No chance then...the good ones would all be in the senior squad. You have a hope of decent players at u21 level, but, at the higher age group, you'd be down to the no hopers. Most of an U23 squad would be promising u21 players anyway.
I think that's probably why UEFA changed the age limits, as that was what was happening with most countries.
Yes. I looked it up in the end. I believe it was 1976, when all participating nations, of the time, [that's the best phrase I can come up with] came into line as Senior, and U21, and under, sides. Prior to that year, the next level junior to Senior was U23. For example, I'm pretty sure both Terry Paine and Mick Channon were England U23 players before they became Senior internationals at different times, while playing for Saints. Just had a proper look up the thread and Chilco has come to my rescue [again].
Quite a humble lad, is our Graziano. Takes the whole responsibility of scoring to himself. His teammates are allowed to chip in.
Vegard Forren scores the winner for Norway too. You don't even need to have played for us, just got drunk in our presence and the magic rubs off!
I note he has been giving shooting lessons to his team mates...as demonstrated by the 2 shots off the woodwork.
