Finals places on the line as play-offs begin

The 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs begin on Thursday and UEFA.com gets the lowdown on the 14 sides hoping to join hosts Denmark in the finals next June. The second legs take place on 11 and 12 October.

Switzerland v Sweden, 7 October, Sion
Switzerland are looking to reach the finals for the first time in six years, but face a tough obstacle in the form of a Sweden team that reached the semi-finals on home soil in 2009. Coach Pierluigi Tami's task has been made all the harder with the news that François Affolter, Xherdan Shaqiri and Valentin Stocker were called up to the senior squad. Joint-Sweden coach Jörgen Lennartsson will leave the U21s after the play-offs to take charge of Stabæk Fotball and will want to sign off on a high. Joel Ekstrand and Martin Olsson are suspended, but will be available for the return in Malmo. Albin Ekdal returns after missing the last group match against Bulgaria through suspension.

Iceland v Scotland, 7 October, Reykjavik
Iceland are giving priority to their U21s as they bid to reach the finals for the first time, with seven players who could have expected a call up to the senior squad included to face Scotland. Eyjólfur Sverrisson's side were the highest scorers during the group stage en route to knocking out holders Germany, but Scotland coach Billy Stark believes his side can find a way to keep them quiet. "I'm confident our boys will equip themselves very well," he said. "They've been absolutely tremendous from start to finish."

Czech Republic v Greece, 8 October, Jablonec nad Nisou
The Czech Republic will be without defensive lynchpin Marek Suchý as they look to maintain their undefeated record in qualifying after the FC Spartak Moskva player was called up to the senior squad. Greece coach Giorgos Georgiadis welcomes back FC Schalke 04 defender Vassilis Pliatsikas after a long-term injury and is also boosted by the form of 18-year-old central defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos, who won plaudits after impressing on his UEFA Champions League debut in Schalke's victory against SL Benfica on Matchday 2.

Italy v Belarus, 8 October, Rieti
Five-time champions Italy were unable to hit their normal heights in qualifying where they only advanced courtesy of a 1-0 win against Wales on the final day. After a stuttering start, though, Pierluigi Casiraghi's side finished their Group 3 campaign with four straight wins and appear to be hitting their stride when it matters most. Belarus coach Georgi Kondratiev has a fully fit squad to choose from. "It's probably good for us the first match is in Italy," he said. "It will be very important to score at least one goal. I'm a little worried about the physical condition of the team as our season is almost finished and it has been a tough schedule."

England v Romania, 8 October, Norwich
Jack Wilshere and Scott Loach are back with the Under-21s after featuring in the senior set up recently, but Kieran Gibbs and Micah Richards have been forced out of the squad through injury as manager Stuart Pearce targets a place in the finals. "There's been a great team spirit within the squad this season and the results have been pleasing," Pearce said. "It will be tough for us. [Romania] are obviously a very good side. But we'd like to think we are a good side too." Romania, who last reached the play-offs nine years ago, are looking to reach the finals for the first time since hosting the competition in 1998.

Netherlands v Ukraine, 9 October, Rotterdam
The Netherlands are back to full strength after a number of regulars were rested for their final group game against Spain, their only defeat of the campaign. The Dutch missed out in 2009 after winning successive titles in 2006 and 2007 and coach Cor Pot is sure they are on the right track again. "Ukraine are difficult opponents," he said. "We have to be wary of them on the break, but I'm full of confidence." Goalkeeper Anton Kanibolotskiy and central defender Oleksandr Matveyeyev are missing for Ukraine as coach Pavlo Iakovenko prepares his charges to meet "very strong opponents".

Spain v Croatia, 9 October, Burgos
Croatia will be without Dejan Lovren and Ivan Rakitić for the first leg after they were called up to the senior squad to play Israel, but coach Slaven Bilić has assured his U21 counterpart Dražen Ladić that he can have them back for the return in Varaždin on 12 October. "We are playing the strongest possible opponent," Ladić said. "It will be a great experience." Spain's Luis Milla, meanwhile, has recalled FC Barcelona winger Jeffrén Suárez as well as calling up FIFA World Cup winners Juan Mata and Javi Martínez, though the latter has since had to pull out through injury. Newcomer Sergio Canales, who scored in both the wins over the Netherlands and Poland to secure a play-off place, and Roberto Canella are injury doubts.