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Azzurri aiming for last eight

The final four places at next May's UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals will be filled tonight.

The full lineup for the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals will become known tonight as the four remaining play-off second-leg matches take place.

Away draw
Croatia, Germany, Portugal and Serbia and Montenegro all booked their finals places last night and tonight Claudio Gentile's Italy side will look to join them by overcoming Denmark. Italy are well-placed to qualify having secured a 1-1 away draw in Farum on Saturday, despite playing the last 20 minutes with ten men following Gianpiero Pinzi's sending-off.

'Hearts and minds'
Pinzi is suspended for the second leg in Rieti, meaning Gaetano D'Agostino could replace him on the right of Italy's midfield. Coach Gentile was cautiously optimistic ahead of the tie, saying: "I am convinced Denmark will play with the same mentality and tactics as in the first leg. Now that we know our opponents a little better we will have to be even more careful, we must put both our minds and hearts into this match. I am confident because the players are already concentrated and want to win."

Defensive problems
Denmark, meanwhile, are missing the injured Rasmus Würtz and suspended Dan Thomasen, but the visitors – who kick off knowing they will be eliminated unless they can score in Italy – otherwise have a 18-strong squad to pick from.

Flu bug
On paper, Poland are also favourites to progress against Belarus, having earned a 1-1 away draw. However, coach Edward Klejndinst is missing central midfield players Sebastain Mila and Patryk Rachwal through illness and suspension respectively, while both Michal Golinski and Pawel Strak have also been laid low with flu and are doubtful. In response, Klejndinst has called up Lukasz Gargula and Vahan Gevorgyan.

First-leg deficit
Switzerland have the difficult task of overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit as they travel to Ostrava to face the Czech Republic. Striker André Muff is sidelined with a hip injury, but fellow forward Marco Streller and defender Mario Eggimann should shrug off problems to play. Meanwhile, Johan Vonlanthen has indicated that he is likely to use his dual nationality to represent Colombia in future competitions.

Fitness boost
The Czechs have a full-strength side to choose from, with the exception of the suspended David Kobylík whose place is likely to go to Petr Musil. Defender Vlastimil Vidlicka, who limped out of the game in Basel, is fit again.

Mountain to climb
Spain face an even greater challenge than the Swiss, although they at least have home advantage as they seek to recover a 2-0 deficit against Sweden at CF Extremadura's Francisco de la Hera stadium in Almendralejo. Líbero Parri is expected to replace the suspended Arzu and Spain coach Juan Santisteban is confident his side can get back into the tie. "Each match is different," he said. "I spoke to my players about the meaning of pride. They are happy and looking forward to the match."