Record field for U17 season
Friday, September 14, 2007
Article summary
Qualifying for the 2007/08 UEFA European Under-17 Championship begins today with 52 teams aiming to claim one of seven places available next May in Turkey.
Article body
Qualifying for the 2007/08 UEFA European Under-17 Championship begins today with a record 52 teams aiming to claim one of seven places available next May in Turkey.
Spain in Andorra
Unlike in recent seasons when the top seeds were given a bye, all teams other than the hosts will begin their campaign in the qualifying round. The first of 13 mini-tournaments to begin today is Group 5, where Denmark, Ukraine and Slovenia travel to the Republic of Ireland, while holders Spain are in Group 4 hosted by Andorra from 1 October, with Wales and San Marino also involved. Montenegro are making their bow in this tournament, and they will be welcomed by 2007 finals hosts Belgium from 22 October in Group 12 along with Northern Ireland and Moldova.
Elite round
The top two sides from each group and the two third-placed teams from across the 13 pools with the best record against the leading pair in their mini-tournament will progress to the Elite round draw at November's UEFA Youth Conference in Cannes. Those teams will be split into seven groups of four to be played in the spring, with the mini-tournament winners progressing to Turkey for the finals based in Antalya from 4-16 May 2008.
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