Michael Mancienne is expected to start as England Under 21s begin their quest to be crowned European champions in the tournament's opening fixture today.

Kick-off is 5.15pm UK time against Finland in Halmstad, Sweden, and with Spain and Germany also in England's group, three points against a country making their first appearance in these Finals looks to be essential.

Coach Stuart Pearce can upon plenty of Premier League experience in the likes of Theo Walcott, Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Milner and Micah Richards (who looks likely to overcome an injury), and Mancienne has been a regular in qualification. He is likely to play in central defence although has been used in midfield at this level.

A possibility as a centre-back partner is Richard Stearman from Wolves where Mancienne played on-loan before the new year.

The Chelsea Academy product was the opening scorer in the final warm-up game against Azerbaijan, and ended the 7-0 win as captain. Pearce has yet to name the captain for the tournament but has labelled the attitude in the training camp 'as good as I've ever known it with any club or any squad I've been involved in as a player or a manager.

'This will be the strongest Under 21 tournament there's ever been,' he reckons.

Finland's midfielder Tim Sparv has been highlighted as a danger man by Pearce. The player will be in his home stadium but was once a team-mate of Walcott's for the Southampton youth team.

The full England squad is:

Goalkeepers
Joe Hart (Manchester City), Joe Lewis (Peterborough United), Scott Loach (Watford)

Defenders
Martin Cranie (Portsmouth), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Richard Stearman (Wolves), Andrew Taylor (Middlesbrough), James Tomkins (West Ham United)

Midfielders
Lee Cattermole (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Driver (Hearts), Craig Gardner (Aston Villa), Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough), James Milner (Aston Villa), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), Mark Noble (West Ham United), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham)

Forwards
Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Frazier Campbell (Manchester United)

Fixtures
Monday 15 June - England v Finland, Halmstad, 5.15pm
Thursday 18 June - Spain v England, Gothenburg, 7.45pm
Monday 22 June - Germany v England, Halmstad, 5.15pm