The slogan for this tournament is 'Stars of today, superstars of tomorrow' but a strong character and the right decisions are also needed if a player is to negotiate fully that career path to the top.

Dutch match official Bjorn Kuipers will take charge of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final between Germany and England in Malmo, assisted by Joël De Bruyn and György Ring.

Outside the Olympia stands a statue of Helsingborgs IF legend 'Rio Kalle' so it was fitting that fellow goalkeeper Manuel Neuer should shine so brightly as Germany secured their place in Monday's final.

European champions Spain secured third place at the FIFA Confederations Cup with a 3-2 win over hosts South Africa before Brazil claimed the trophy by beating the United States by the same score.

Germany received a boost ahead of Monday's UEFA European Under-21 Championship final against England in Malmo with the news that captain Sami Khedira and Marko Marin will be fit to play.

Sweden blog: The hosts may be out of contention for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship crown but there is no chance of their efforts going unrecognised after they won hearts and minds.

The frustration and disappointment will endure for some time, but Sweden forward Ola Toivonen believes his side can be proud of their efforts in Friday's semi-final defeat by England on penalties.

A new application will allow uefa.com users to follow the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final on their mobile phones, with live results, news, photographs and video from the game.

Italy blog: Italy may have failed to reach the final but head coach Pierluigi Casiraghi managed to build an impressively united squad with a number of players perhaps looking ready for senior call-ups.

Sweden midfielder Robin Söder faces up to nine months out after suffering a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee in the semi-final defeat by England having played a key role in his side's fightback.

England blog: With strikers Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer Campbell suspended for the final, Stuart Pearce could be looking to Theo Walcott to play a central role in England's bid for U21 glory.

Martin Cranie is among the less celebrated members of Stuart Pearce's squad but as the only player to have captained England in a UEFA final there is one distinction that he holds above his peers.

Belief can take a team a long way and for Germany captain Sami Khedira that means nothing short of winning the European U21 title. "We all believe everything is possible," the 22-year-old said.

A week after they played out a 1-1 draw in the group stage, Germany and England meet again at the Malmö New Stadium with the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship title at stake.

Tickets remain available for Monday's final between Germany and England in Malmo with a half-time appearance from the Sweden squad who thrilled the country an added attraction for spectators.

Joint-coach Tommy Söderberg took solace from the prospect of a bright future for Swedish football despite talking of the "same feeling of emptiness" he experienced after UEFA EURO 2004™.

The UEFA Appeals Body has rejected the protests of the Football Association regarding the suspension of goalkeeper Joe Hart who will serve a one-match ban on Monday.

Defender Micah Richards may be representing England in Monday's Under-21 final against Germany but it was a Brazilian soccer school in Leeds that played a key part in his development.

Benedikt Höwedes, the man whose last-minute goal in a play-off in France earned Germany's place at this UEFA European Under-21 Championship, is ready for one last push at glory.

England Women will compete in their first sevens tournament since reaching the quarter finals of the IRB Rugby World Cup earlier this year at the European 7s in Hanover, Germany next month.