Violante determined to succeed

'Not going to lose'
The European champions will meet Brazil, Cameroon and Yemen in Group C. "I don't know these teams particularly well but we have time to get to know them now," he told uefa.com. "Of course Brazil and Cameroon are great names of world football, but we aren't going to the championship to lose.

'We have confidence'
"We have our prestige and we have confidence," Violante continued. "We can't start the word Championship with fear. Brazil have often had great teams at this age, and I think Cameroon are champions of Africa, but about Yemen I know nothing.

'We'll do our best'
"However to be in this competition they have to be a great team," Violante pointed out. "We are European champions and we don't start any competition winning or losing because of the name [of the opposition] and their titles. We'll do our best to beat them on the field."

Victory on home soil
Violante led Portugal to victory on home soil in the recent UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Spain, who Portugal beat in the final 2-1, are also in the World Championship and have been drawn in Group D alongside Korean Republic, United States and Sierra Leone.

Finland in Group A
The other European representatives Finland, who are hosting the tournament, are in Group A with China, Mexico and Colombia. "The draw gives us a good chance to make it to the second round," said Finnish coach Jyrki Heliskoski. "I believe four points may be enough to finish second in the group. We will meet the best teams in the world. We are challengers, but playing at home gives us some advantage."

Platini opinion
Meanwhile former France star Michel Platini, a UEFA Executive Committee member, said: "My favourites are Brazil, Spain and Portugal. Countries like Finland and Sierra Leone may surprise, though. In general, more surprises happen on youth level than on senior level." Only time will tell!