England Under-21s to face Italy, Norway and Israel at 2013 European Championship finals

England Under-21s will face Italy in the opening match of next summer's European Championship finals.

Stuart Pearce's side have been grouped with the Azzurri, Norway and host nation Israel in the eight-team tournament.

The last three champions of the competition, Spain, Germany and Holland, join Russia in Group B.

The top two teams from each group progress to the semi-finals where they will bid to reach the final at the Teddy Stadium on June 18.

England’s Fixtures

5 June – England v Italy, KO 9.30pm (7.30pm BST) at Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv

8 June – England v Norway, KO 7pm (5pm BST) at Ha Moshava Stadium, Petach Tikva

11 June – Israel v England, KO 7pm (5pm BST) at Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem