da betsul： Lee Carsley's class of 2023 are one game away from glory, 14 years on from England's last appearance in the tournament's showpiece

da pinnacle： The England Under-21s stormed into the European Championship final with a 3-0 semi-final win against Israel on Wednesday, maintaining their 100 percent record in the process. The Young Lions haven't won the tournament since way back in 1984, but will clinch the trophy for a third time if they beat Spain in the final at Adjarabet Arena in Georgia on Saturday.

Confidence is high in Carsley's camp, with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Angel Gomes and Levi Colwill all performing to a very high level, but they must make sure that complacency doesn't set in. England enjoyed a similarly impressive run to the final back in 2009, only to capitulate against a supremely talented Germany outfit.

A brace from Sandro Wagner and goals from Gonzalo Castro and Mesut Ozil sealed a comprehensive 4-0 win for Germany at Malmo New Stadium. Former Arsenal and Real Madrid playmaker Ozil introduced himself to English audiences with a superb all-round display in the middle of the park as the Young Lions were given a harsh lesson on the big stage.

Ozil, Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Sami Khedira would go on to form the core of Germany's senior squad in their successful 2014 World Cup campaign under Joachim Low some five years later. But few of England's main stars ever got close to the same heights.

So what exactly happened to the England players that featured against Germany in the 2009 final? GOAL takes a look…

Getty ImagesGK: Scott Loach

Former Watford goalkeeper Loach was only taken to the Euros as a backup for Joe Hart, but after the then-Manchester City man picked up a booking in the penalty shootout during England's last-four clash with Sweden, he was suspended for the final.

Loach came in and was at fault for Germany's second goal amid a very forgettable performance, but would go on to play for England's U21s for a couple more years and also received two call-ups to the senior squad. The shot-stopper was never able to land his first cap, though, and after leaving Watford in 2012, he became something of a journeyman.

After spells at Ipswich, Rotherham, Notts County, Hartlepool, Barnet and Chesterfield, Loach joined Derby County in 2022, and the 35-year-old signed a one-year extension with the Rams last month.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Martin Cranie

Cranie was on the books of Premier League Portsmouth at the time of the U21s Euros, but joined Coventry City in a £550,000 deal after the tournament. He played in 120 games for the Sky Blues, but left after their relegation to League One in 2012 to join Barnsley.

The defender went on to take in a spell at Huddersfield, and helped them achieve promotion to the Premier League before moving on to Middlesbrough in 2018. Cranie retired three years later after stints at Sheffield United and Luton Town.

Getty ImagesCB: Micah Richards

Richards came through the academy ranks at Manchester City, and enjoyed great success at the club alongside Hart after their Abu Dhabi takeover. The versatile defender won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup with City, and also made eight appearances for England on the senior stage.

City eventually loaned Richards to Fiorentina in 2014, and he was sold to Aston Villa a year later. Form and fitness eluded Richards in the West Midlands, which led to him retiring at the early age of 31 in 2019. He has since become a popular pundit for and the , notably striking up a hilarious relationship with Manchester United legend Roy Keane.

Getty ImagesCB: Nedum Onuoha

Another City academy graduate, Onuoha struck up a solid partnership with Richards at the back for England's U21s, but never managed to step up to senior level. He did make 116 appearances for City, though, and left with a Premier League winners' medal when QPR came calling in 2012.

Onuoha spent six years at Loftus Road before taking on a new challenge in MLS with Real Salt Lake. He retired in 2020 aged 34, after featuring in 50 games for Real Salt Lake and famously clashing with former LA Galaxy superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He has since begun to forge a successful punditry career.