Spain handed tough elite round assignment
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Article summary
Runners-up in July, Spain must overcome three other teams that have graced the final tournament over the past three seasons after a tough elite round draw.
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Runners-up last summer, Spain have been handed a tough assignment in the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship elite round in April.
Jorge Vilda's side were placed in Group 1 alongside three other teams that have graced the final tournament over the past three seasons: Finland, Portugal and Turkey. The draw, conducted with the help of Spain's 2014 captain Marta Turmo, also plotted the Netherlands' next stage for their defence, while top seeds France, England and Germany (who all earned a bye through September's qualifying round) entered the fray.
Elite round draw (4-9 April)
Group 1: Spain, Finland, Portugal*, Turkey
Group 2: Sweden, Italy, Austria, Serbia*
Group 3: France*, Russia, Iceland, Romania
Group 4: England, Switzerland, Norway, Northern Ireland*
Group 5: Germany*, Belgium, Scotland, Ukraine
Group 6: Netherlands* (holders), Denmark, Czech Republic, Slovenia
*Hosts
Route to finals
Games take place on 4, 6 and 9 April. The six group winners and the runner-up with the best record against the teams first and third in their pool qualify to join hosts Israel in the finals from 15 to 27 July 2015.
Draw fact
• Austria, the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Ukraine and Slovenia are all aiming to reach the finals for the first time.