France aim to go one better

France came within one match of recapturing the UEFA European Under-17 Championship title a year ago, but the 2004 winners have high hopes of a third consecutive qualification as they welcome Denmark, Norway and Belarus for Elite round Group 4. Ahead of the first ganes on Tuesday, uefa.com previews the mini-tournament.

FRANCE
Last season's runners-up France made full use of home advantage in topping a tricky qualifying round group this time around and hope to do so again in the south west of the country. They have been busy in recent months, beating the United States 2-0 in November and travelling to Uruguay for a three-game series the following month, winning 2-0 and 3-2 either side of a 2-1 loss, their only defeat this season. In February they played in the Algarve Cup in Portugal, finishing second after drawing 1-1 with Israel, beating England 2-0 and holding the hosts 0-0, and last Thursday they defeated Poland 4-0. Defender Pierrick Cros had to be replaced by Nampalys Mendy due to injury. Striker Jimmy Kamghain and midfielder Yeni Ngbakoto have proved the most prolific goalscorers this season. Coach Philippe Bergeroo was also in charge when they took the title on home soil in 2004.

Qualifying round: Slovakia 1-1, San Marino 3-0, Scotland 3-2 (Group 11 winners)

Key players: Zacharie Boucher (goalkeeper, Le Havre AC), Alassane Tambe (defender, Paris Saint-Germain FC), Darnel Situ (defender, RC Lens), Dennis Appiah (midfielder, AS Monaco FC), Alexandre Coeff (midfielder, RC Lens), Chris Gadi (forward, Olympique de Marseille), Jimmy Kamghain (forward, Paris Saint-Germain FC)

DENMARK
Denmark last qualified in 2003 and after a decent season their hopes have been hit by a doubt over highly-rated midfielder Christian Eriksen, who joined AFC Ajax from Odense BK in the autumn, due to an ankle injury suffered in the 1-1 draw in Greece in February, which followed a 1-0 defeat. He had previously inspired 3-2 and 2-1 wins in Portugal in December. Coach Thomas Frank said: "Obviously it would be problematic to be missing a player like Christian who has had a remarkable impact in most of the U17 internationals he has played. However, we are far from having given up hope, and together with Ajax, we are doing all we can to get him ready for the Elite round."

Qualifying round: Romania 3-0, Israel 4-1, Lithuania 3-1 (Group 2 winners)

Key players: Christian Eriksen (midfielder, AFC Ajax), Mark Gundelach (defender, FC Nordsjælland), Rasmus Falk Jensen (midfielder, Odense BK)

NORWAY
Norway coach Bård Flovik can choose from the same squad that took his side through the qualifying round with the talented Joshua King also released for national duty by Manchester United FC. Viking FK midfielder Christian Landu Landu has been selected but has been struggling with injuries while much is hoped of goalkeeper Aslak Falch. "This is a good generation of players, and I hope they do a good job," said Flovik.

Qualifying round: Ukraine 4-0, Switzerland 0-0, Iceland 0-0 (Group 7 winners)

Key players: Aslak Falch (goalkeeper, Viking FK), Krister Wemberg (defender, Moss FK), Christian Landu Landu (midfielder, Viking FK), Anders Næs (striker, SK Brann)

BELARUS
Belarus finished an impressive second to Finland in the qualifying round but have since lost two key players in Sergei Yadlovski and midfielder Aleksandr Selyava to injury. Coach Pavel Rodnenok said: "Although France and Denmark are the clear favourites, we will still try to battle for the only place to the finals. We will see what happens but I am confident my team will give their best."
 
Qualifying round: F.Y.R. Macedonia 0-0, Albania 7-0, Finland 1-2 (Group 10 runners-up)
 
Key players: Dmitri Aliseiko (defender, FC Dinamo Minsk), Ilya Pukhov (forward, FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk), Artyom Buloychik (midfielder, FC Dinamo Minsk)