Austria's unbeaten streak under threat

Austria prepare to welcome Italy, Scotland and Georgia as UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite round Group 5 gets started on Friday. uefa.com reviews all the sides' form with only one qualification spot for May's finals in Germany available.

AUSTRIA
After going undefeated in ten matches during 2008, hosts Austria are full of confidence ahead of the Elite round. Coach Hermann Stadler can welcome back FC Bayern München's David Alaba after ankle ligament damage, but goalkeeper Günther Arnberger is unavailable because of a knee injury. "It's great that we can play in front of our own fans," said Stadler. "This is the perfect chance for my players to show their skills at international level. We are well prepared for the upcoming matches and have the ability to be even better than in 2008."

Qualifying round: Belgium 2-0, Northern Ireland 1-0, Liechtenstein 11-0 (Group 1 winners)

Key players: Christoph Knasmüllner (midfielder, FC Bayern München), David Alaba (midfielder, FC Bayern München)

ITALY
Italy prepared for their trip to Austria by taking part in a friendly tournament in Minsk in January, finishing third. The Azzurrini lost the opening game against Russia before beating Finland, Latvia and Belarus with forward Giacomo Beretta scoring five goals in the last two games. "I think this squad has a lot of potential," said Italy coach Pasquale Salerno. "I think we can achieve good results if the players manage to maintain their momentum."

Qualifying round: Latvia 3-1, Cyprus 1-0, Netherlands 2-5 (Group 9 runners-up)

Key players: Simone Dell'Agnello (forward, FC Internazionale Milano), Alberto Libertazzi (forward, Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawi (forward, Genoa CFC)

SCOTLAND
Having qualified for the first time last year, Scotland are aiming for a repeat performance. They warmed up by winning 4-1 and 4-0 in Malta in January before losing to finals hosts Germany 1-0 in Livingston last month. Forward Scott Robinson played in last year's finals while Ryan Jack returns from an injury absence. Manager Ross Mathie told uefa.com: "It will be a very difficult group but our squad will be trying to follow in the steps of last year's Under-17 squad that qualified for the finals in Turkey. The teams that we are to face have all done well in their respective [qualifying round groups]. Austria, the hosts, must start as favourites with their outstanding record in the qualifying round, winning the three matches by scoring eleven goals and conceding only once."

Qualifying round: San Marino 3-0, Slovakia 3-1, France 2-3 (Group 11 runners-up)

Key players: Scott Robinson (forward, Heart of Midlothian FC), Ryan Jack (midfielder, Aberdeen FC), Gordon Dick (midfielder, Rangers FC).

GEORGIA
Georgia played three games in preparation for their Group 5 campaign and went undefeated after two goalless draws against Azerbaijan in Baku and a 2-0 win against Luxembourg. "We have very strong opponents but our aim is to make the next round," said coach Gela Shekiladze. "I feel we are good enough to do it."

Qualifying round: Hungary 2-2, Czech Republic 2-3, Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 (Group 3 third place)

Key players: Nika Dzhalamidze (midfielder, FC Baia Zugdidi), Jano Ananidze (midfielder, FC Spartak Moskva), Irakli Shekiladze (forward, Empoli FC)

Reporting by Matthias Rötters, Paolo Menicucci, Paul Saffer and Vakhtang Bzikadze