England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has warned his youngsters reputations will count for nothing when the European Championships start in Sweden.

Pearce's side are overwhelming favourites for the clash against Finland at Orjans vall, Halmstad, with the likes of Theo Walcott, James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor set to feature.

The Finns only need to turn on their televisions to compile scouting reports but Pearce is not underestimating the task of doing better than 2007, when England reached the semi-finals.

Pearce said: "They (Finland) know these kids, whether it be Theo or someone else.

"But, in tournaments, reputations and being well known count for nothing. We have got to go flat out in every match and see where it takes us."

Steven Taylor, Danny Welbeck, Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone are injured but there were no repeats of two years ago when David Bentley chose not to play and Agbonlahor could not be contacted to confirm his call-up.

"There are 60million people back home who want us to win something," Pearce added.

"The scenes of euphoria I saw in 1990 (during the World Cup) when I was playing told me this could never be replicated at club level on any scale. Why any player wouldn't want to be part of it all is beyond me.

"I know the players. You tell Milner to go and have a rest. It is impossible. Some managers want them to come, others don't, but on the whole everyone has been very co-operative."

Craig Gardner feels England can learn from the experiences of Holland two years ago.

"We have talked about the last tournament and the gaffer has shown us videos," said the Aston Villa youngster. "We've taken everything on board, watched the games and the penalty shoot-outs.

"We've practised penalties after every training session. Some of the lads that played in that tournament are here again, they'll talk to us and tell us it is a massive tournament, but we know that anyway.

"We are aware of the coverage. It's a massive tournament and the season has finished, so we are the only team playing and the whole of the country are going to be watching us."

Finland skipper Tim Sparv expects his side to "double up" on Walcott to stop his former Southampton team-mate.

Sparv spent two years living with Walcott when they were on the south coast and reached the final of the FA Youth Cup with him in 2005.

The 22-year-old midfielder said: "I know him very well from my Saints days so I am going to give my team-mates some hints.

"I tried to stop him for two years at Southampton but I never caught him and I'm not getting any quicker.

"It's going to be a hard task. We're going to have to double up on him on occasions and not leave him one against one because he is going to outpace anyone."