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England lost 2-0 to the CzechRepublic on Monday as they kicked off their Under-19 European Championship campaign.

Tomas Necid was the hero for the tournament hosts grabbing both goals in four minutes in the second half showing true strikers' opportunism.

Tottenham keeper David Button made an error of judgement on 54 minutes when he came out of his area to head clear a through ball the central defenders failed to deal with. Necid showed good pace and knocked the ball beyond the on-rushing Button and calmly slotted home into an open net.

Defensive frailties were also to blame for the second just moments later. Poor marking at a corner allowed Necid to side-foot a volley from inside the six-yard-box to condemn Brian Eastick's young side to defeat despite two late dismissals for the Czechs.

"We have no complaints about the result", said Eastick. "They deserved to win the game and we have to show a big improvement against Italy. The first goal was obviously an error between the two centre-backs and the keeper, but David Button made a terrific first-half save and any blame must be taken collectively. The marking was then non-existent for the second goal."

In the groups other match Greece nearly caused an upset against the Italians after taking a first-half lead through Michail Pavlis. The Azzurri salvaged a point with a last minute penalty from Alberto Paloschi leaving England bottom of group B.

England face Italy next on Thursday at 7.00pm. Watch it LIVE on British Eurosport or on the Eurosport Player!

Geraint Williams / Eurosport