uefa.com gears up for U17 showpiece

The UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals in Portugal are fast approaching and uefa.com will be bringing you full coverage of the eight-team showpiece event.

Big prize
The hosts will be joined for the finals, which run from 7-17 May, by Denmark, Austria, Hungary, Israel, England, Spain and Italy as one of the biggest prizes in youth football beckons. The two tournament finalists will also qualify for this summer's FIFA Under-17 World Championship, which will be staged in Finland between 13 and 30 August 2003.

Special finals site
Today we launched our special U17 finals site, which contains all the information you need to make the most of the tournament, whether you are going to be in attendance in Portugal or whether you will be following in the comfort of your own home.

Full coverage
As well as full previews, team information and a venue guide, uefa.com will also be bringing you interviews, photos, features, match reports, video highlights and audio bulletins ahead of and during the tournament itself.

Three newcomers
Five of the eight countries at the finals participated in last season's 16-team final tournament, with Austria, Israel and Italy being this season's newcomers. The only sides to qualify with maximum points from their second round mini-tournaments were Spain and England.

Holders absent
Of the competing sides only Spain, Portugal and Italy have previously lifted the trophy, formerly known as the UEFA European Under-16 Championship. Holders Switzerland will not be in Portugal to defend their crown, having finished behind Hungary in Group 5 in the second qualifying round.

UEFA European Under-17 Championship match schedule:

 17:30
  ENG
    v
  ESP

N.B. Thursday 8 May, Saturday 10 May, Monday 12 May, Tuesday 13 May, Thursday 15 May and Friday 16 May are all rest days. Kick-off times are all CET.