Poland

For the first time in a decade, Poland have qualified for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, and they did so with a game to spare, the only side to manage that in this season's elite round. Striker Mariusz Stępiński said: "We achieved our first goal by qualifying, but we believe we can get a medal in Slovenia."

The RTS Widzew Łódź man added: "A while ago, all the U17 players got special dog tags like you have in the US army with the motto 'honos habet onus' (honour brings responsibility) – it was a brilliant idea as it has helped to really unite us as a team."

Qualifying round: Malta 3-0, Montenegro 2-0, Spain 0-2 (Group 11 runners-up)

Elite round: Czech Republic 2-0, Belarus 2-0, Luxembourg 3-1 (Group 2 winners)

Key players
Gracjan Horoszkiewicz (defender, Hertha BSC Berlin), Mariusz Stępiński (forward, RTS Widzew Lódz), Adrian Cierpka (midfielder, KKS Lech Poznań), Vincent Rabiega (midfielder, Hertha BSC Berlin)

Coach: Marcin Dorna

Date of Birth: 17 September 1979
Nationality: Polish
Coaching career: KKS Lech Poznań (youth), Poland U15/ U16/U17

Dorma is regarded as one of the most promising young coaches in Poland. He started his career with the youth teams at KKS Lech Poznań before taking charge of the national U15 selection. He trialled over 250 players before making his U17 pick and led them to their first European finals for a decade, their only qualification at this level since the switch to an eight-team event.

Team records

Qualifying top scorer
Mariusz Stępiński: 4

UEFA European Under-17 Championship best
Group stage: 2002

Honours in UEFA youth competitions
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Winners: 2001
Runners-up: 1981
UEFA European Under-16 Championship
Winners: 1993
Runners-up: 1999