Italians poised to lead the way

Holders Italy seem certain to claim one of the three remaining UEFA European Under-21 Championship spots on offer tonight, with France and Switzerland looking favourites to join them in next summer's finals.

Gentile confident
The Italians, who beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in the final of the 2000 competition in Slovakia, proved too strong for Poland at the weekend, running out 5-2 winners in Warsaw. Parma AC striker Emiliano Bonazzoli scored two of Italy's goals and coach Claudio Gentile will be confident that his side, who have lost just one of their last 22 under-21 matches, against Hungary in their final qualifying match, have the necessary resilience to put paid to Poland's hopes of joining Tuesday's qualifiers – England, Portugal, Belgium, Czech Republic and Greece - in the finals.

Malbranque on target
France coach Raymond Domenech has urged his side to keep their concentration when they defend a slender one-goal advantage against Romania in the Francis-Le-Blé stadium in Brest. Domenech's side won 1-0 in Bucharest on Saturday as they took charge of their play-off against the Poles, Fulham FC midfield player Steed Malbranque netting a priceless away goal with a stunning long-range effort after ten minutes at the Cotroceni stadium.

'A hard time'
The goal sparked the Romanians into life and Ion Moldovan's side will regret not going into this game on level terms. Domenech has warned his French youngsters, seeking to emulate their senior counterparts in being crowned European champions, that there is no room for complacency. "The very good first-leg result does not allow us the chance to relax," he said. "In the second half they gave us a hard time and we will have to be very careful."

Sorlin recalled?
Still deprived of injured Zoumana Camara of Olympique de Marseille, the French coach could recall Montpellier Hérault SC midfield player Olivier Sorlin after he was suspended at the weekend. AJ Auxerre's Jean-Alain Boumsong Somkong and Olympique Lyonnais's Jeremie Bréchet remain key players in defence, while Bréchet's Lyon colleagues Pegguy Luyindula and Sydney Govou lead the French attack.

Muff the hero
Like France, Switzerland are a goal to the good going into the home leg of their play-off with Ukraine at FC Aarau's Brügglifeld stadium. Substitute André Muff was the Swiss hero, netting a last-minute goal in a 2-1 victory in Kiev. Switzerland deservedly opened the scoring six minutes before the interval through Servette FC striker Alexander Frei, but the home side got back on terms when Andriy Voronin turned home Armen Akopyan's cross at the third attempt in the 70th minute.

Coach cautious
Speaking after an excellent win in the Ukrainian capital, Switzerland coach Bernard Challandes warned that the tie was far from over. "We are not going to relax now," he said. "We must fight harder in Aarau to ensure we preserve what we have secured from this match. We will give all we got, and I am confident that we will win."

Away goals count
Unlike the 2002 FIFA World Cup play-offs the golden-goal rule does not apply to UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs. If the scores are level at 90 minutes the team with the greater number of away goals will progress. If away goals are also level 30 minutes of extra-time will be played, with no golden goal, and if the sides can still not be separated the game will be decided by penalties.