Paul Moran:, external re: 1732 Kennedy Bakircioglu is still banging them in for Hammarby.

A good interception at centre-half by Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson, who is the nephew of Boro chairman Steve. I like that bit of trivia, hence the random entry on a defensive tackle.

It's Croatia who have started on the front foot - pushing their full-backs on and passing the ball about almost at will. England are yet to settle into their formation which appears to have Harry Kane supported by Saido Berahino and Nathan Redmond up front.

We're under way then, as the late evening sun begins to set in Wolverhampton. Time to lay down a marker for Tuesday's second leg in Croatia.

Image source, PA

Time for the national anthems at Molineux, where there's a sizeable crowd in attendance to cheer on the home side. There's a few in who are supporting the visitors too, I should add.

Gareth Southgate is without a number of eligible players for tonight's game because they are involved with the senior England squad. Calum Chambers, Raheem Sterling and Jonjo Shelvey were involved in Roy Hodgson's squad which beat San Marino last night, but former U21s manager Stuart Pearce said earlier this week it would be better for their development if they played for the younger side in these crunch matches. What do you think? Is Psycho right?

Since the break up of Yugoslavia in the early 90s, there have only been two major tournaments which the senior Croatian national team have failed to qualify for. For a country of less than five million people, they certainly know how to produce world-class footballers. Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban and Luka Modric spring to mind. Bosko Balaban doesn't.

Which is why England won't be taking their task lightly tonight, manager Gareth Southgate adding: "There won't be a problem in terms of our mentality.

"This is a step up from the group but it is a step they can make. It is a game they have the ability to win."

England Under-21s boss Gareth Southgate, speaking to BT Sport: "It is a better quality of opposition and is the sort of test we want these players to have.

"It is difficult to say what we hope for in terms of scoreline, a clean sheet would be a bonus because away goals are important but the key for me is the performance. If we work as hard off the ball as on it we will certainly create chances and cause problems."

Image source, Getty Images

Has anybody been worried about the health of former Crewe, Birmingham and Coventry striker Dele Adebola recently? Strange question, I know... but the man himself has been forced to tweet about his good health this afternoon, writing:, external "Guys please stop asking if I have ebola. I do not have it. But I thank you for caring about my health and wellbeing :-) Dele."

That's a relief.

Image source, Getty Images

So, which of these players on show tonight will be winning European Championships, Champions Leagues and securing big-money moves in the next four years? In fact, let's case our net wider... who will be the first name on the team-sheet should we put together a World XI in 2018-2020? Those who play football management games will have a head start on this, although it never quite worked out for Freddy Adu, Cherno Samba and Tonton Zola Moukolo, did it?

Get involved tonight, using #bbcfootball,, external send a text with your name on to 81111 or post to the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+, external pages.

Image source, The FA

Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw and West Brom striker Saido Berahino start for England against Croatia.

As expected, Carl Jenkinson misses out as he struggles with a hamstring problem.

England U21: Butland, Keane, Moore, Gibson, Shaw, Hughes, Forster-Caskey, Carroll, Redmond, Berahino, Kane. Subs: Bond, Garbutt, Dier, Lascelles, Baker, Ince, Bamford.

Croatia U21: Livakovic, Zuparic, Datkovic, Mitrovic, Milic, Coric, Bradaric, Pavicic, Pjaca, Rebic, Livaja. Subs: Delac, Perica, Pasalic, Milos, Caktas, Brucic, Bagaric.

Referee: Javier Estrada Fernandez (Spain)

But first let's give our full attention to the England Under-21s.

Gareth Southgate's young 'uns are good, you know. They sailed through their initial qualifying group by winning nine out of 10 games, scoring 31 times and conceding two. Now they face a straight shootout with Croatia, who also topped their group, for a place at next summer's finals.

Image source, Getty Images

But that's not all we've got coming your way tonight, folks. Nope. We'll also be bringing you every kick, tackle and Gareth Bale wonder-goal (possibly!) when Wales host Bosnia-Hercegovina in big boys' football. The prize at stake there? Three points in the race to qualify for Euro 2016. That match kicks off at 19:45 BST.

Standing in England's way are Croatia and, at the risk of sounding like an X-Factor voiceover, only one of them will be at the Euro U21 finals in Czech Republic next summer. This two-legged play-off has a significant carrot at the end of it.

Image source, Getty Images

David De Gea, Javi Martinez, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Thiago Alcantara, Cesar Azpilicueta, Koke, Isco... the list is endless.

But why am I randomly typing the names of young Spanish footballers. Simples: they have all lifted the European Under-21 Championship in the last four years before going on to bigger and better things... be it full honours with the senior side, Champions League glories or big-money moves around the Continent.

Those honours and future riches could one day await some of England's young footballers. But first they need to qualify.