U21 play-off draw whets hosts' appetite

Friday's UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off draw threw up intriguing ties aplenty but, for tournament ambassador Flemming Povlsen, the finals cannot come around soon enough.

Five-time winners Italy face Belarus next month, while 2009 runners-up England take on Romania in their quest to join hosts Denmark at next summer's finals in Aalborg, Aarhus, Viborg and Herning. Meanwhile, the Netherlands will meet Ukraine in a repeat of the 2006 final, another tie which has whetted Povlsen's appetite.

"For the Danish players who will not be competing in these play-off matches, the final tournament is still far away," he said. "However, I believe that a seed of this tournament has been planted in the conscience of Danish football supporters. The draw is a huge event for all the participating teams and for Denmark. Some teams obviously attract more attention than others and we would certainly like them to be involved."

Already assured of their place in the finals, Denmark can start preparing for an event which Povlsen, a former U21 international himself, feels is a crucial stage in their development. "It's a very important step towards the ultimate goal – the senior side," he said.

"I played in an U21 quarter-final against England in 1986 and then won the European Championship with the senior side six years later. I hope the young Danish players can repeat this feat. It is important for the tournament that the host country does well and I hope that will be the case."

Tangibly excited about both the Denmark squad and the prospect of hosting the tournament, Povlsen has his fingers crossed that his passion will prove infectious. "I told the players that, when participating in this tournament, we play for Denmark and the Danish logo on the chest – not the name on the back of the shirt," he added.

"A lot of the players are regulars at their clubs which is very important for them to develop as footballers. It improves the Danish side massively and I hope we will perform well. I like players like Jens Stryger [Larsen] of Brøndby; he has shown a tremendous amount of energy. Then there is Christian Eriksen of Ajax, who is already a regular in the Danish senior side and a very exciting player. I would also like to praise goalkeeper Jonas Lössl, who will be a key player for us."