When they step out against Italy at Kiev's Olympic Stadium tomorrow night, they'll carry the hopes of a nation on their broad shoulders.
But once upon a time they were pint-sized wannabes with short trousers and big ambitions.
We've traced England's first team back to their school days and found the childhood photos some of them would prefer you didn't see.
Behind the dodgy haircuts, questionable fashion choices and toothy grins, can you tell who's who?
1: After a year of scandals, this Barking-born boy is aiming to be crowned champion of Europe for the second time in just two months
2: He shed the unfortunate fringe and has gone on to become England's midfield enforcer and Mr Reliable
3: All all-round athlete who excelled at cricket and athletics, this England regular recently won his first league title
4: He replaced Rio Ferdinand, and then Gary Cahill in the England back four, but has been one of the stand out stars of Euro2012 so far
5: England's youngest ever player, this Londoner has shone so far this summer as manager Roy Hodgson's super sub
6: He was tall, even as a schoolboy, but didn't take up football until he was 15 - preferring cricket during his early years.
7: Went to the same school as Gazza and followed in his footsteps to Newcastle and then England
8: England's new captain fantastic, a deadball specialist who has shone with the armband this summer
9: The baby of the team, this photo is barely a decade old. This star in the making is a second generation England player
10: A regular in the England set-up, he shrugged off a personal tragedy to compete at Euro2012, where he hopes to win his 50th cap
11: England's first choice number 2 and a solid performer in Poland/Ukraine. One of 6 Liverpool players hoping to find success this summer
12: The baby face is long gone on this star, arguably England's best player and the best in the world in his position. If England make the final, it'll win him his 100th cap
13: A child footballing prodigy who's living up to his hype. Scorer of one of the best goals of the tournament so far
14: There's no mistaking that mischievous grin. Back after a break, England fans are praying we've not seen the best of him yet.
MAJIBU YA UBASHIRI
1: John Terry
2: Scott Parker
3: James Milner
4: Joleon Lescott
5: Theo Walcott
6: Joe Hart
7: Andy Carroll
8: Steven Gerrard
9: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
10: Jermaine Defoe
11: Glen Johnson
12: Ashley Cole
13: Danny Welbeck
14: Wayne Rooney
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2163480/Euro-2012-Can-names-young-faces-Englands-team.html#ixzz1yd9OSlCz
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