Even by Danish standards, the small town of Herning in mid-Jutland is unremarkable. There is a convention centre and football stadium but little else. Jokes about Herning portray the 40,000 locals as a bit slow on the uptake.

It is something that should resonate with England’s footballers. They have been the butt of ridicule since 1966, from stand-up comedians to radio phone-ins, and a new low was reached with last Saturday’s dismal 2-2 draw against Switzerland at Wembley which left qualification for Euro 2012 in doubt.

But if the so-called Golden Generation, headed by David Beckham and Frank Lampard, have been revealed as under-achievers, tonight Herning will be filled with youthful optimism as the new Lions headed by exciting prospects Jordan Henderson and Chris Smalling try to restore national pride against Spain, a country whose reputation is as high as England’s is low.

Toothless Lions: England have under-achieved despite the presence of players such as Frank Lampard, John Terry and Steven Gerrard

Fabio Capello is due to fly in to watch England’s opening game of their European Under-21 Championship group, as are Sir Trevor Brooking and FA chairman David Bernstein. And they are unlikely to experience any of the negative vibes associated with the senior team following a happy training camp next to a golf course near Vejle, the small town that gave the world European Footballer of the Year Allan Simonsen.

Henderson, Phil Jones, Jack Rodwell and Connor Wickham have the football world at their feet and are so far untarnished by the spectacular over-hype and crash-landing of the England teams managed by Sven Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren and now Capello.

Eleven players in manager Stuart Pearce’s squad have played — or will play for — the Big Four clubs of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Four others — Andy Carroll, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs — will be part of England’s future even if they are not here for this competition.

Tonight England will oppose dazzling Spanish talents such as Valencia winger Juan Mata and Barcelona’s Bojan. But they will not be overawed.

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