The Euro 2013 Under 21 tournament gets underway in Israel tomorrow evening as the hosts square up to Norway in the first Group A match at 17.00 GMT. With eight teams battling for the trophy, the official McDonald’s game on the Uefa site affords battle-hardened Fantasy managers welcome relief as we await the announcement of the Premier League fixture list later this month.
Having already cast an eye over the rule set, we now assess the main protagonists over the next couple of weeks, with the competition running until Tuesday June 18.
To a certain extent, the first round of group matches will be trial and error for Fantasy managers for a number of reasons. Key players from the likes of Russia and Norway will miss their respective nations’ first fixtures due to duties at senior level – as a result, some fringe players will be handed game time before making way in the second round of matches.
In addition, scouting the number of appearances that certain players have at this level can potentially be misleading – some are already installed as regulars in the senior side but will drop back into the Under 21s in order to boost their respective nations’ chances of success. Factor in the odd injury and suspension, with rotation also thrown in, and it’s understandable that many are contemplating rolling out their wildcards prior to Matchday 2, when hopefully the lay of the land will be that little bit clearer.
Having scouted the information via the Uefa site and the tournament’s official twitter feed, here’s a rundown of some of the likely chief protagonists, with some mid-price and budget options added to the mix:
GROUP A
Israel
Given their strength of opponents, the hosts are perhaps an unlikely source of clean sheets, though right-back Eli Dasa – at 3.5 – looks nailed on and has notched twice in 12 appearances; he can easily be subbed out on the second day of each Matchday if he fails to deliver. Fulham youngster Omri Altman has shown plenty of attacking potential – the 4.0 priced midfielder has scored four times in just 10 appearances, though Sintayehu Sallallich is similarly priced and has picked up game time up top in recent friendlies, boosting his out of position appeal.
If you fancy the home side to carry a goal threat, Orr Barouch impressed in Israel’s friendlies with four strikes in six games and comes in at 5.0 for those looking for a cut-price frontman – fellow forward Manus Dabbur is 0.5 more expensive and grabbed a goal and assist against Germany and Holland in recent matches.
Norway
As mentioned above, the senior side’s World Cup qualifier against Albania has had a knock-on effect in the likely first XI for the opener. Four players – Valon Berisha, Joshua King, Håvard Nordtveit and Markus Henriksen – are all unavailable to face Israel, though will be back in time for the games against England and Italy. The Norwegians put five past France to reach the knockouts and shouldn’t be underestimated – midfielder Harmeet Singh is on spot-kicks and, with a share of set-pieces, looks a decent shout for 5.0.
Marcus Pederson has the best scoring record in the squad, with six goals from 17 appearances; the 6.0 priced forward has plenty of first-team experience with Danish outfit Odense, though Man United youngster King is available at 5.0 up top for those looking to wildcard prior to Matchday 2. At the back, there’s uncertainty over who will be selected between the sticks – Arild Ostbo looks the favourite, having played most qualifiers and comes in at a mere 3.5. Ostbo is the priciest of the Norwegian trio of keepers, though; both Orjan Nyland and Gudmund Kongshavn are 3.0 apiece – fortunately, we’ll get a head-up with regards to the starting line-up prior to tomorrow’s deadline.
England
Stuart Pearce’s side arrive amongst the favourites for the title, despite losing the likes of Luke Shaw, Callum McManaman and Andros Townsend – England have won nine back-to-back matches without conceding a goal. Both Danny Rose and Tom Ince are suspended for the clash with Italy, though Pearce has revealed Wilfried Zaha is “available for selection” after overcoming an ankle complaint in time for tomorrow.
At the back, Craig Dawson is fairly pricey at 6.0 but is the first-choice spot-kick taker, though Nathan Chalobah could potentially hand us a cut-price out of position prospect. Costing just 4.0, he’s been fielded as a defensive midfielder in the last couple of friendlies and is classified as a defender, though is far from nailed-on; Jack Butland is 5.0 and is first-choice between the sticks, by comparison. Liverpool’s Jonjo Shelvey – at 8.0 – is also on the majority of set-pieces and corners – and is cheaper than Zaha (9.0) and Anfield team mate Jordan Henderson, at 8.5.
Italy
At the back, Italy’s first-choice keeper Francesco Bardi is the priciest in Group A at 5.5, while captain Luca Caldirola (6.0) guarantees game time in the heart of a back-four that shipped just eight goals in qualification. There’s likely to be better value in defence for those eyeing up defensive options –Cristiano Biraghi is the only left-back named in the squad and will set you back 5.0, though Ascoli centre-half Vasco Regini (4.5) is a punt that could potentially pay-off.
Elsewhere, Paris St Germain midfielder Marco Verratti comes in at a mere 4.5 and, while he guarantees game time in the budget bracket, his deep-lying role could struggle to harvest many points. Up top, the options are a real headache. Manola Gabbiadini – the player with the most impressive scoring record – is far from certain to start, despite his 9.0 price tag. Lorenzo Insigne was his nation’s key creator in qualifying with five assists but, also listed as a 9.0 forward, may well feature on the flank – he’s hoping to recover from a minor knee problem for the opener. While the 10.0 priced Ciro Immobile looks a likely starter, it’s Mattia Destro who is the most intriguing option. Recently promoted to the seniors, his strength and presence as a target man looks crucial for the Italians – amongst the top three favourites to finish the tournament’s top scorer, Destro, at 8.5, is the fourth cheapest forward in the Italian squad.
GROUP B
Germany
Widely expected to make their way out of the toughest of the two groups, Germany nevertheless have had injury problems to contend – the likes of Bayern-bound centre-half Jan Kirchhoff will be particularly missed in the back-four after undergoing groin surgery. With other crucial omissions, there’s plenty uncertainty surrounding Germany’s starting XI and Fantasy managers are unlikely to take any needless risks, given the security of starts afforded by cheaper players from other nations.
At 5.5, Bernd Leno is relatively pricey between the sticks, while Tony Jantshke (6.5) and Lasse Sobiech (6.0) also look a little too costly – when you consider the attacking talents of their three opponents, clean sheets may be hard to accumulate. There are cheaper options available at the back but even the likes of new boy Matthias Ginter (4.0) could be a waste of budget – Germany’s game against Holland is the later of the two matches in Matchday 1, Group B, meaning we won’t get the chance to see the line-ups before making our subs.
Tottenham’s Lewis Holtby is by far the most enticing option. Premium priced at 10.5, the captain plays in an advanced central midfield role, takes spot-kicks and has a share of set-pieces – five goals and five assists in qualifying attests to his attacking potential. The six foot five target man Peniel Mlapa racked up eight goals in qualifying, though at 11.0 doesn’t come cheaply. While the 9.5 priced Patrick Herrmann is less expensive than Mlapa up top, his role out wide makes him a reverse out of position prospect. Germany racked up 43 goals in their 12 qualifying games – eight more than any other side – an indication that attacking cover is key here.
Spain
The tournament favourites and defending champions. Similar to Germany, they have plenty of premium priced options at the back – David De Gea is 6.0 and with four defenders priced between 6.0 and 7.0, Spain may struggle to offer value at the back for potential investors. There is speculation, however, than Real Madrid’s recently re-acquired Daniel Carvajal could feature ahead of Barcelona’s Martin Montoya (7.0) at right-back – at a mere 4.5, the former has the potential to be a bargain but his selection is by no means guaranteed. It’s a similar scenario on the other side of the back-four; where 4.5 priced Alberto Morena is hoping to oust Marc Muniesa (6.0) from the XI – taking a punt on a cheap Spanish defender is perhaps worthwhile, though; we’ll know the line-ups prior to deadline and can keep our budget option on the bench if they aren’t selected to face Russia in Thursday’s opener.
Aside from their impressive qualifying results, the Spanish will be full of confidence heading into the tournament, having put three past Russia and scored five against Norway in their final couple of friendlies in late March. In midfield and attack, there are, unfortunately, several options for us to consider – picking the correct players and balancing the budget is tricky. Isco, Thiago Alcantara and fit-again Sergio Canales are double figure options in midfield but it’s the former who is the standout asset– the Malaga man grabbed five goals and five assists in qualifying and is on penalties and most set-pieces, though is resultantly priced at 12.0. Pablo Sarabia costs just 8.0 by comparison and was Spain’s chief creator, with seven assists and a couple of goals in qualifying.
Up top, it’s no surprise to see Benfica forward Rodrigo listed as favourite to finish as the tournament’s top scorer. He notched 11 times in qualifying and while 10 of those arrived in just three games against lesser sides, he found the net in both those aforementioned friendlies and will be a popular pick, despite a 12.0 price tag. Barcelona’s Cristian Tello bagged a brace in the recent win over Norway but may have to rely on game time from the bench – like Iker Muniain, Tello is classified as a forward yet is likely to see any game time out wide, thus reducing his appeal.
Russia
As mentioned in the intro, the upcoming World Cup qualifier with Portugal on June 7 has hit Russia’s plans for the opener with Spain. Alan Dzagoev and Fedor Smolov will miss Thursday’s game, though Oleg Shatov is available – he was initially included in the senior squad but has since returned to the Under 21s. Aleksandr Kokorin, who notched five times in just three appearances in qualification, was also due to miss the first game due to senior duties but has now been ruled out of the tournament with an Achilles injury.
Russia has the cheapest regular keeper available in Group B for those Fantasy managers looking for a rotation pairing option, with Nikolai Zabolotny available for a mere 4.0. Clean sheets may be hard to come by but save points are likely to come to the rescue – alternatively, centre-half Taras Burlak has scored twice in 14 appearances but, at 5.0, is less budget friendly than his stopper. Dzagoev is the big name in midfield and will set you back 9.5, more than any team mate, though Shatov, with a couple of goals and two assists in qualifying, is just 7.0 by comparison. Up top, Smolov scored seven times is qualifying and with spot-kicks also in his locker, could be decent value at 7.5 once he returns for the second match.
Holland
Of all the participants, the Dutch have more players with experience at senior level –12 of their squad have received at least one cap. Indeed, such is their multitude of options, that Genero Zeefuik, the top scorer in qualifying, has been omitted from the squad altogether.
While Jeroen Zoet comes in at a reasonable 5.0 between the sticks, the 4.5 price tag handed out to Bruno Martins Indi looks a real oversight. A regular for the senior side – with two goals in nine appearances – the giant centre-half is a constant danger from set-pieces and corners and looks a sure-fire bargain. Ajax’s Ricardo van Rhijn is similarly priced and has also stepped up to senior level – his runs down the right flank could also come to fruition, should be get the nod to start, as expected.
In midfield, Adam Maher is another who has the potential to be a real cut-price snip. Coming in at a mere 5.5, he’s expected to be handed the role in “the hole” and with set-piece duties also in his locker, looks a far more enticing option than the likes of Leroy Fer and Marco Van Ginkel – both will set you back 8.5 after impressing during the qualifiers. Up front, Luuk De Jong is the main man. Another of the bookies favourites to finish top scorer, the Borussia MGladbach man costs 10.5 and is on spot-kicks; although Georginio Wijnaldum is cheaper at 9.5, he’s another reverse out of position prospect, classified as a forward yet fielded on the flank.
