UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Final four to represent Europe

Switzerland, France, England and Spain are all gearing up for the 2003 UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup.

Switzerland, France, England and Spain's Under-17 teams are all in Egypt ready to represent Europe in the fourth staging of the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup.

Four semi-finalists
All four countries earned their place by virtue of reaching the semi-finals of the 2001/02 UEFA European Under-17 Championship last May and have accepted the chance to defend Europe's crown. All the matches will be played in two cities, Ismailya and Port Said.

Points added
The Meridian Cup has been played every two years since 1997, and features four teams from Europe and four from Africa. The tournament is played on a round-robin basis with each European team playing each African nation once. The points gained by each team are added to the continental tally and the overall winner is the continent scoring the most points.

All-star match
Recognition is also given to the country from each continent with the best record while there is also a Fair Play prize and honours for the best individuals. A special gala match is also staged to mark the event. The last Meridian Cup, staged in Bari, Italy in 2001, featured an All-Star game for veterans from each continent. Europe won 4-0 with goals from Bruno Conti, Michael Laudrup and two for Bruno Giordano.

Tough opposition
Although Switzerland are the European U17 champions, Spain are the most experienced side in the Meridian Cup and finished with the best record of the European nations two years ago. The European sides will face tough opposition though especially from the hosts Egypt and Nigeria, the only African team to have appeared in all three of the previous editions. The other two African nations are Mali and debutants Burkina Faso.

Selected for you