
| 3 | Montenegro | Czech Republic | ||||
| 1 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Greece | ||||
| 1 | Germany | Belarus | ||||
| 4 | Denmark | Serbia | ||||
| 10 | Netherlands | Austria | ||||
| 9 | Slovakia | France | ||||
| 4 | Northern Ireland | FYROM |
The 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship comprises a qualifying group stage and play-off round to determine which seven teams join hosts Israel in the final tournament.
Qualifying group stage
Teams are split into ten groups – two of six teams and eight of five – and play each other on a home and away basis. The ten group winners and four runners-up with the best record against the teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their sections advance to the play-offs.
Play-offs
Play-off matches are played according to the knockout system, with each team playing each opponent home and away. The team which scores the greater aggregate of goals qualifies for the next round, with away goals, extra time and then penalties used to determine the winner in the event of a draw.
Final tournament
The final tournament comprises the seven play-off winners and Israel, who qualify automatically as hosts. The eight teams are split into two groups of four. Each team plays each other once in their group with the winners and runners-up advancing to the semi-finals where the winner of Group A plays the Group B runner-up and vice-versa. The winners advance to the final.
Further details, including the criteria for separating teams that finish level on points in a group, can be found in the official competition regulations.
Reigning champions Spain are into the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs after drawing 0-0 with Switzerland to secure the point they needed to top Group 5.
Spain grabbed the initiative from the off with an early siege of beautifully-crafted moves. They were almost rewarded for their intent as early as the second minute when Tello's firm effort was spilled into the path of Pablo Sarabia, who stabbed wide.
La Roja continued to dictate terms thereafter, assuming a probing, patient approach. The hosts, meanwhile, soaked up the pressure, launching only sporadic forays forward without testing David de Gea. Spain's method almost paid dividends after 22 minutes, Rodrigo benefiting from a neat interchange before sending a deft lob, from an acute angle, agonisingly wide.
The visitors continued to probe and thought they had ended Switzerland's resolve when Tello latched on to Sarabia's incisive pass, only for the forward to fire straight at Roman Bürki. The pattern of play seldom changed after the break with Spain unable to prise open their opponent's stubborn ranks. Tello remained the creative spark, beguiling three defenders before drilling a shot narrowly over, while Sarabia struck the woodwork as the game headed for a draw.
Switzerland host Estonia in their final group game on Monday 10 September, when Spain face Croatia.
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http://www.uefa.com/under21/season=2013/matches/round=2000192/match=2006880/postmatch/report/index.html#spain+secure+spot
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| Pierluigi Tami (SUI) | Julen Lopetegui (ESP) | ||||||||
Referee | |||||||||
| Artur Soares (POR) | |||||||||
Assistant referees | |||||||||
| Rui Tavares (POR), João Silva (POR) | |||||||||
Fourth official | |||||||||
| Rui Silva (POR) | |||||||||