England Under-21s aim to end 25 years of international hurt tonight and Manchester City Academy graduates Nedum Onuoha and Micah Richards will be at the heart of their bid for the European Championship title in Sweden.

Blues goalkeeper Joe Hart, the penalty shoot-out hero against semi-final victims Sweden, will be missing from the final showdown against Germany after picking up a second yellow card of the tournament on Friday night.

But Nedum, who took the captain's armband against the Swedes when Mark Noble was substituted, and Micah, whose performances will have impressed England boss Fabio Capello, will be at the centre of Stuart Pearce's defence.

Only Arsenal, with Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs, can match City's influence on the side battling in Malmo to be European Under-21 champions for the first time since 1984, having drawn 1-1 with the Germans in the group stage.

Their inclusion as first-choice centre-halves by former City boss Pearce is yet another fine reflection on the work of Academy manager Jim Cassell and his staff, who continue to nurture top talent for the senior side.

Chief Executive Garry Cook said: "We are all jusifiably proud of the Club's record in bringing through so many young players who go on to make an impact in the senior side and, as in the cases of Micah and Nedum, on the international stage.

"These are players who have grown up at this club and have formed many friendships and attachments over the years, so it is emotional for us to see them play in matches of this significance. Naturally, our best wishes go with them in tonight's game.

"Although people outside the Club have suggested that the influx of international talent via the transfer market will have an adverse affect on our youth policy, we have already invested substantial sums into the Academy this year, creating world-class pitches and building new offices for the staff.

"We plan to continue that investment to facilitate our development and build on past achievements in the future."

Scott Loach of Watford is expected to step in for the suspended Hart in tonight's final, which kicks off at 7.45pm (Live on Sky Sports 1 & HD from 7pm).