The only problem with winning a major title in your first week in charge of your team is when it comes round to trying to retain it!

That’s the unenviable position Steve Beaglehole finds himself in as he prepares his Northern Ireland Under-20s for a clash with Elite Milk Cup favourites Germany in Ballymoney tonight.

While the Germans have brought the youngest squad in the six-team competition, they are European champions at Under-17 level and preparing for the World Cup finals in Nigeria in October and November.

“This is the type of quality opposition you want to face,” says Beaglehole with real relish.

“By the look of things this week’s Milk Cup is going to be a wonderful experience for our players.”

Northern Ireland beat Chile 2-1 in last year’s final at Coleraine Showgrounds but the road to this year’s showpiece finale on Friday is a challenging one.

“We have a good squad and the players had a get-together recently which was very beneficial.

“We will give it a go again. The support we had last year was tremendous and I know the fans will get behind us again.

“There is no doubt there is something special about the backing for Northern Ireland teams at this tournament. We all thoroughly enjoyed it last year.”

Manchester United have a trio of players in the squad — keeper Conor Devlin and midfield duo Corry Evans and Oliver Norwood.

Three locally based players are involved with Coleraine — defender Howard Beverland and winger Stephen Dooley along with Ballinamallard defender Craig Hill.

Northern Ireland squad: Goalkeepers: Conor Devlin (Manchester Utd), Wayne Drummond (Millwall); Defenders: Sean McCashin (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Hanley (Hull City), Conor McLaughlin (Preston North End), Chris Ramsey (unattached), Dean Jarvis (Aberdeen), Howard Beverland (Coleraine), Craig Hill (Ballinamallard); Midfielders: Corry Evans (Manchester Utd), Oliver Norwood (Manchester Utd), Eunan O'Kane (Everton), Stephen Dooley (Coleraine), Patrick McLaughlin (Newcastle); Strikers: Billy Kee (Leicester City), James Lawrie (Port Vale), William Gregg (Walsall), Josh Magennis (Cardiff City).

ELITE fixtures (today): 7pm: Northern Ireland v Germany (Riada Stadium, Ballymoney); 8pm: Israel v Bulgaria (Ballymena Showgrounds); USA v Denmark (Coleraine Showgrounds).