Belgian bonanza the U17 prize

The 2006/07 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round gets under way this afternoon with the possibility of a sixth different winner in its sixth season. Russia joined the roll of honour when they defeated the Czech Republic on penalties in May, following on from Turkey, France, Portugal and Switzerland. But those six nations, like 45 others, have a long road ahead if they are to gain one of the seven available finals places alongside hosts Belgium.

Greek kick off
First to start today is Group 7 in Greece, where the hosts meet Liechtenstein and Austria face Sweden, with further fixtures on Sunday and Wednesday - this year there are an extra 24 hours between Matchdays 2 and 3 in the two preliminary rounds. Of the eight countries in the finals last time around, the Czech Republic and 2005/06 hosts Luxembourg are the earliest to kick off as they get Group 2 up and running on Tuesday, with Turkey and Slovenia also involved.

Holders face Germany
Hungary are in Group 10 and open against Bulgaria on 30 September in Yerevan, while holders Russia will have a rematch of their semi-final with Germany as both contest Group 5 - that game will close the pool on 18 October, with F.Y.R. Macedonia and hosts Georgia aiming to upset the odds. Serbia qualified last season in conjunction with Montenegro, but now strike out on their own and are in the last of the 12 sections to begin, Group 4, which also contains Italy, Malta and Andorra and runs from 17-22 November.

Elite round
The side that finished third in Luxembourg, Spain, are exempt as one of the top three seeds with England and Portugal, and that trio are guaranteed places in the Elite round draw on 5 December in Nyon. The top two from each qualifying round group will join them, along with the third-placed team with the best record against the leading pair in their pool. The seven Elite round winners qualify for the showpiece stage, and unlike last term, one country will be in the final tournament for the second year running - hosts Belgium. There not only the trophy will be at stake, but also tickets to the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the Korea Republic.