Norway ready for Under-19 showpiece

Europe's eyes will be on 'the land of the midnight sun' from Sunday as the final UEFA tournament of the 2001/02 season, the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, begins in Norway.

Opening game honours
The honour of hosting the opening game of the final UEFA tournament of the summer will be shared between Kongsvinger, on the river Glomma, where hosts Norway take on Slovakia, and Moss, a port on the Oslofjord, as Spain face the Czech Republic.

Tournament venues
In total the tournament will see 144 players participating in 14 games over eight days in seven stadiums, all located within comfortable travelling distance of Scandinavia's oldest capital city, Oslo. In addition to Kongsvinger and Moss, the mill town of Hønefoss, the picturesque Drammen, the suburb of Bekkestua and Lillestrøm will all host matches, while the Ullevål stadium in Oslo, with its all-seater capacity of 25,500, will hold the final and the third/fourth place play-off on Sunday 28 July.

Riise backs Norwegian fans
Norway and Liverpool FC midfield star John Arne Riise, who conducted the tournament draw back in May, is sure that the host country will respond positively. "It's not that often that we have a European tournament in Norway and I'm sure the fans will turn out to support it," he said.

Shock absentees
Poland's 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic in last year's U18 final in Switzerland was the last final to be played at that age group. In the tournament's new U19 incarnation, the reigning champions were eliminated by Germany in the intermediate round. Other shock absentees at the finals are France, youth football specialists Portugal and Italy.

Previous winners
Nevertheless, there are plenty of sides who have tasted glory at the U18 age level among the final eight nations, including three-times winners England, 1998 winners the Republic of Ireland and 1995 victors Spain.

Two tough groups
In truth, both groups look as tough as each other. As well as dark horses Slovakia, hosts Norway also face favourites Spain and last year’s runners-up Czech Republic in Group A. Meanwhile, Group B sees a host of traditional rivalries with England squaring off against the Republic of Ireland and Germany, with Belgium hoping to pull off a few surprises.

Spain favourites
Having already won the U21 crown, the Czechs will be hoping for some more silverware, but Spain start the tournament as most people’s favourites, as Riise admitted. "Spain are the big favourites, always," he said. "It's a tough group but if they [Norway] get a good start who knows."

Form book
Who knows indeed, for if the UEFA tournaments that have already taken place this summer are anything to go by, the form book can be thrown out the window. Switzerland were the surprise winners of the U17 event, while the Czechs’ victory in the U21 finals also came as a shock.

Ends with a bang
With the traditionally pre-eminent Iberian nations, as well as France, Italy and England all under-performing so far this summer, perhaps Norway’s U19 festival will see yet more surprises. Whatever happens, it promises to be a feast of football that sees the lengthy 2001/02 season end with a bang - and uefa.com will bring you reports, reaction and photographs from every game.