Curtain raises on U17 competition

Finnish start
Seven of the eight sides who contested the 2004/05 finals in Italy are present in this season's qualifying round, including Turkey - although the holders do not get their campaign under way until mid-October. The action kicks off in Finland on 19 September, with Greece, Slovakia and Bosnia-Herzegovina travelling to Scandinavia to contest Group 7.

Polish intent
A day later Group 8 begins in Poland, with the mini-tournament hosts - who will be eager to impress ahead of the U19 finals in their country next summer - up against Liechtenstein, Moldova and Norway. Then, on 22 September, Wales is the venue for Group 12, which also includes Switzerland - who reached the group stage in the 2005 finals - Estonia and Kazakhstan. The following day, mini-tournament hosts Andorra's game with Iceland marks the opening fixtures in Group 6, with Sweden and the Czech Republic also meeting on that first day.

Hungarian hopes
Hungary will hope to capitalise on home advantage to progress from Group 10, which also incorporates Albania, Cyprus and Scotland, with the action beginning on 26 September. Two sections start a day later, with Lithuania and Ukraine the locations. Northern Ireland, Malta and Serbia and Montenegro join the Lithuanians in Group 1, while Italy - third on home soil last May - Latvia and Republic of Ireland travel to Ukraine for Group 2.

Familiar foes
On 29 September, two of the qualifiers from Italy are involved again as the Netherlands - runners-up in the 2005 finals - and mini-tournament hosts Belarus, who were unable to progress beyond the group stage last season, contest Group 11 with Denmark and Slovenia.

Semi-final rematch
The remaining four sections will be concluded in the second half of October, with 2003 champions Portugal facing Germany in Group 5 when the pair will be confident of progressing with San Marino and the Faroe Islands forming the opposition. Across Europe, Group 9 kicks off in F.Y.R. Macedonia on 16 October, which will feature a rematch of the semi-final between Croatia and Turkey from this year's event. Romania are the fourth side in what looks to be a strong section.

Israeli opportunity
Belgium are at home for the penultimate section, Group 3, which also involves Austria, Bulgaria and Georgia. The qualifying round is completed on 28 October as Group 4, which features hosts Israel - who lost all three matches in Italy having unexpectedly qualified - Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. Spain, England - the only one of the three to qualify for last season's finals - and France will enter the tournament in the Elite round, which takes place next spring. The eight-team final tournament is to be held in Luxembourg from 3 to 14 May 2006.

2005/06 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round:

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