Both teams will surely be pleased with the group draw, they have avoided competition favourites Spain and Germany, the always dangerous Netherlands and unknown factor Russia, who are all drawn in Group B. That leaves host nation Israel, who, aside from the youngest player in their squad are entirely home based and Norway who lost twice to England in qualification and are without four key players for the opening match at least.

These two will surely be happy to take a point each today and move on, that is normally how Italy approach all tournaments and despite being considered "big players" in a competition they largely dominated through the 90's, they have been very slow starters and have not won their last five opening games ( three draws). England have also drawn two of their last three opening games at the competition and they would view a point as especially valuable, as they get the suspended duo of Danny Rose and Thomas Ince back for Matchday 2. Stuart Pearce's squad could have included Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Phil Jones and Jack Rodwell, who all played for the senior side against Brazil at the weekend, but is still likely to name a starting eleven tonight containing five players, Butland, Caulker, Henderson, Shelvey and Zaha, who have made a full international appearance. The Azzurri have a promising crop of youngsters as you might expect and by far the most experienced squad at the Championships with 13 players having at least a dozen U21 international appearances. However, for today I expect a cautious approach from them and both coaches would surely see a draw as a point earned.England have kept nine consecutive cleansheets and the Italians three, so a goal fest in a match where avoiding defeat is a priority seems unlikely, the half time draw at 2.10 + looks tempting, but I will stick with the 90 minute version.1 unit Italy-England draw 3.20-3.30 general quote.

Good Luck.