The Agenda: England seniors play warm-up act for Young Lions’ Euro bid

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set up two goals and won a penalty for England Under-21s against Israel in 2011, after coming on at half-time. Photograph: Stuart Macfarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

YOUNG LIONS’ SEND-OFF ...

England’s international against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday could, for once, be viewed as an appetiser for a Young Lions fixture. Gareth Southgate’s Under-21s face Belarus at Barnsley’s Oakwell on Thursday (7.45pm) in their final match before heading to the Czech Republic for the European Championship. Next up will be Portugal, in their Group B opener on 18 June. The Under-21s last played at Oakwell in September 2011, when they beat Israel 4-1 . In the team that night were Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley and Jonjo Shelvey.

NEW SPORTING EVENT ...

Azerbaijan’s £700m scheme to put the country on the sporting map steps up with the inaugural European Games. It resembles the Olympics: around 6,000 athletes compete in 20 sports at venues in Baku. With 253 medal events over 17 days and 50 nations taking part, it is some PR push. As well as athletics, cycling and gymnastics, look out for sambo, a martial art with its roots in the former Soviet Union.