Finals line-up complete
Nations await April 6 draw
Central and Eastern European teams dominate the line-up for the UEFA European Under 17 Championships 2006.
The competition, which will be held in Luxembourg in early May, will include just two of the major forces in European
football in Spain and Germany.
The two will undoubtedly go into the finals as favourites but as the elite qualifying round proved, the lesser-known
nations will be no pushovers.
The tournament will not include the likes of the Netherlands, France, England, Italy or Portugal and the line-up
could be indicative of where the future forces in the European game may lie.
Russia in particular looked strong as they qualified from a group that include giants Italy and England.
The Czech Republic impressed as they won group three, which included France and last season's winners Turkey.
Hungary were the surprise package of the elite round as they comfortably breezed through their group scoring nine
goals in the process.
Serbia and Montenegro made it into the finals after strong campaign, which ended with a comprehensive 3-0 victory
over the Republic of Ireland.
Free scoring Belgium will make the short trip over the border for the tournament after topping group four. The
red devils went unbeaten in their group and scored nine goals in three matches.
Luxembourg qualified as hosts.
Full list of qualifiers:
Luxembourg (hosts)
Germany (Group One)
Hungary (Group Two)
Czech Republic (Group Three)
Belgium (Group Four)
Spain (Group Five)
Serbia and Montenegro (Group Six)
Russia (Group Seven)
Michel Platini and UEFA Youth and Amateur Committee chairman Jim Boyce will make the finals draw at Mamer Castle
on Thursday 6 April at 18.00CET. |
