U17 Finals schedule confirmed

UEFA has confirmed the match and television schedule for the final round of the third UEFA European Under-17 Championships, to be played in France between 4 and 15 May 2004.

Television coverage
Eurosport, UEFA's television partner for youth competitions, will broadcast six matches live, including the final and one of the semi-finals. Hosts France will play 2003 finalists Spain, Turkey and Northern Ireland in Group A, while holders Portugal are joined by England, Austria and Ukraine in Group B.

Meridian Cup
Also at stake this year is qualification for next year's UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup. The three best-placed teams will join hosts Turkey and the four best U17 squads from Africa for the fifth version of the tournament, which will take place in January and February 2005.

Six venues
The tournament will be staged in the Loire region in France. Group matches and the semi-finals will be played in six different grounds - Blois, Amboise, Romorantin, Tours, Avoine and St Cyr-sur-Loire. The Stade Gaston Petit in Châteauroux will be used as a neutral venue for the final and the third-place play-off.

Jubilee celebrations
A number of activities and events will be held throughout the region of Blois and Tours during the tournament as part of the celebrations to commemorate UEFA's Jubilee.

Click here for full details of the match and TV schedule.