Rocked by the departure of midfielder David Bentley, England look to have suffered a serious blow in their quest for glory at the UEFA European Under 21 Championship. However England manager Stuart Pearce is confident his team is on their way to a good showing at the tournament, which they have won twice in its early stages.

"The build-up has been good and we're just waiting to get stuck into the games now," Pearce said on the eve of England's opener against the Czech Republic. England are placed in a strong group that features Italy and Serbia as well and Pearce is aware they have to come good in the opening games if they are to entertain any hopes of progressing any further in the championship.

Steven Taylor is suspended for the Czech Republic clash, but is expected to be back for the Serbia match on June 17. The only worry for Pearce is that defender Anton Ferdinand is a doubtful starter owing to his groin injury. But Pearce still has big names like Kieran Richardson, Leroy Lita and England captain Nigel Reo-Coker to rely on.

Pearce has suggested that the youth squad must have a full-time coach so as to guide them along and avoid situations like that of Bentley.

The Serbia tam is contesting the UEFA European Under-21 Championship for the first time as an independent nation. However the team has redeemed itself quite nicely en route to the finals and will be hoping to upset big names like Italy, England and the Czech Republic.

Serbia captain Branislav Ivanovic was a part of the 2004 squad that represented Serbia and Montenegro in the final of   the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. His side eventually lost to Italy 3-0 with Ivanovic picking up a red card. La year in Portugal, Serbia made it to the semifinals only to lose out to Ukraine on penalties.

Ivanovic and Serbia coach Miroslav Djukić will be hoping to go one step further in this year's edition and with an incredibly talented team at their disposal, who is to stop them?.