Iberian affair lights up U19 draw

Four-time winners Spain will begin their 2009/10 UEFA European Under-19 Championship campaign against Iberian rivals Portugal after the qualifying round draw was made in Nyon today.

Intriguing draw
The 52 entrants were split into 13 groups of four, to be played in autumn 2009 as one-venue mini-tournaments. While Spain are in Group 8, which also includes Wales and F.Y.R. Macedonia, 2008 champions Germany will begin their next campaign by playing Turkey, Moldova and Luxembourg in Group 3 while Ukraine, who will host this season's finals next summer, take on Sweden, Montenegro and Georgia in Group 12.

Fair Play award
The draw was conducted by Jim Boyce, first vice-chairman of UEFA's Youth and Amateur Football Committee, and Jack Cork, who also collected the UEFA Fair Play award in recognition of England's sporting conduct in last season's final tournament. The top two in each qualifying round section, plus the two third-placed sides with the best record against the top two in their group, will progress to the Elite round, which will be played in the spring of 2010. The winners of the seven Elite round sections will join hosts France in the final tournament that summer. To view the match dates and hosts for each group please click here.