CZECH REPUBLIC
Previous Euro U21 Champs best: Winners (2002)
Head coach - Jakub Dovalil: What Dovalil doesn't know about Czech football at youth level isn't worth knowing. He has been in charge of the Under-21s since 2008, having also held various other positions over the last 13 years. Under his watch in 2011, the youthful Czechs progressed through a group that included Spain and England, the latter of whom they defeated 2-1. They went as far as the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Switzerland. He also has a positive record on home soil, having guided the Under-19s to the Euro Champs last four in 2008.
Key player - Vaclav Kadlec
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He may have played with the number three on his shirt for loanee club Sparta Prague, but there is nothing defensive about the 23-year-old forward. Kadlec, who is on the books of German side Eintracht Frankfurt, likes to play in the number 10 position, which provides him with plenty of freedom. He already has senior international experience, with 12 caps and two goals to his name.
Sports Mole says: The triumph of 2002 lives long in the memory, but the Czechs have found it difficult to get back up to that standard since then. That team included the likes of Petr Cech and Milan Baros, yet while there are some talented individuals at Dovalil's disposal, there is no-one at that level. Home advatange could be key to them booking a place in the semi-finals, although it would not be a surprise if they fell just short.
DENMARK
Previous Euro U21 Champs best: Semi-finals (1992)
Head coach - Jess Thorup: After he had guided Esbjerg to the Danish Superliga title in 2012 and then the Danish Cup a year later, the Football Federation decided that the 45-year-old was the right man to nurture the nation's young talents. He had an instant impact as the Danes went through qualification unbeaten, scoring a highly impressive 38 goals in the process.
Key player - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
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There will not have been many bets placed for the Danes to win the tournament, but with a player like Hojbjerg available, they will believe anything is possible. He spent last season on loan at Augsburg from Bayern Munich and sent many reminders to his parent club of his capability. Playing in midfield, the 19-year-old has earned comparisons with former Bayern and current Real Madrid star Toni Kroos. There have been suggestions that he will be a regular member of Pep Guardiola's squad at the Allianz Arena next term.
Sports Mole says: Every international tournament seems to have a dark horse and Denmark are just that. Not only do they have Hojbjerg, the likes of Viktor Fischer and Andreas Christensen are also a part of the squad. They scored more goals in qualifying than any other nation, so any game that they are involved in shouldn't be dull. They will be targeting the semi-finals at the very least and from there, anything is possible.
GERMANY
Previous Euro U21 Champs best: Winners (2009)
Head coach - Horst Hrubesch: Having scored the two goals that saw West Germany win Euro 1980, Hrubesch will be widely respected within the dressing room. He's also proven himself managerially at Under-21 level, with Germany's one triumph coming under his watch in 2009 when rivals England were thrashed 4-0 in the final. The 64-year-old likes to rotate his starting lineups, but regardless of the personnel, his teams win more often than not.
Key player - Kevin Volland
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In what is a multi-talented Germany squad, captain Volland is the leader. He shook of the disappointment of not going to last year's World Cup in Brazil by scoring six goals in as many outings during the qualification phase for this tournament. The striker also weighed in with 10 goals last term for Hoffenheim, who have made it clear that they have no intention of selling one of their prized assets during the pre-season break. However, if he were to put in some eye catching performances in the Czech Republic - which he is certainly capable of doing - a transfer to a bigger club is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Sports Mole says: Amazingly, the Germans have only previously won this competition on one occasion. Six years ago they had a squad jammed full of talent as the likes of Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Manuel Neuer stole the show. The current crop may not be quite as good, but it is still a strong unit, who are rightly regarded as the favourites to triumph. Providing that they can live up to the expectations, it will take a very good team to beat them.
SERBIA
Previous Euro U21 Champs best: Winners (1978) *As Yugoslavia
Head coach - Mladen Dodic: The 45-year-old may have overseen some mixed results since taking control last year, but in his defence, he has had to contend with the loss of some high quality players for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, while they only finished runners-up to Italy in qualifying, Dodic went on to mastermind a victory in the playoffs over holders Spain. He took the role having earned his spurs with a number of Serbian clubs.
Key player - Milos Jojic
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It is been a difficult few months for Jojic at Borussia Dortmund, but this tournament provides the 23-year-old with the opportunity to thrive. In the Bundesliga, he was played in the centre of midfield, whereas Dodic is happy to let Jojic play in a more natural wide position. Out there he can be more unpredictable, helped by the fact that he is comfortable using either foot.
Sports Mole says:
Like Jojic, Serbia are a difficult proposition to read. On their day they are capable of beating any team, as proven against Spain late last year. But, in the same qualification process, they were also defeated by lowly Cyprus. It makes it tough to decide what should be regarded as par for the Serbs, although they will probably have aspirations of reaching the last four.
Group A fixtures
Wednesday, June 17
Czech Republic vs. Denmark
Germany vs. Serbia
Saturday, June 20
Serbia vs. Czech Republic
Germany vs. Denmark
Tuesday, June 23
Czech Republic vs. Germany
Denmark vs. Serbia
Prediction: 1. Germany 2. Denmark 3. Czech Republic 4. Serbia
Liam Apicella
