France face England in U19 finals

Hosts France will play last year's runners-up England, the Netherlands and Austria in the 9th UEFA European Under-19 Championship following today's draw for the final tournament.

The draw for the finals, which will be played from 18 to 30 July, was held at the City Hall in Caen and conducted by Reinhard Walser, third vice-chairman of the UEFA Youth and Amateur Football Committee, Michel Hidalgo, coach of the victorious France team at the 1984 UEFA European Championship, and French Under-21 international Sébastien Corchia.

In Group A, France, champions in 2005, take on England, who were beaten by Ukraine in the final last season, finals debutants the Netherlands, and Austria, tournament hosts in 2007.

Group B includes four-times winners Spain, 2003 champions Italy, Portugal, who were runners-up to Italy seven years ago, and Croatia, the second team making their maiden appearance at the finals.

Group games will be played on 18, 21 and 24 July in Caen, Mondeville, Flers, Saint-Lo and Bayeux, the top three sides in each section qualifying for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

The top two in each group will progress to the semi-finals on 27 July, with the final scheduled for the Stade Michel d'Ornano in Caen three days later. The full schedule, including the nine games shown live by Eurosport, will be confirmed next week.