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Czechs offer stern test in Group 1

The Czech Republic are formidable hosts of elite round Group 1 which starts on Thursday with their opposition including Georgia, Ukraine and a Netherlands side aiming for a fourth straight qualification.

Georgia's Davit Skhirtladze in action against Germany
Georgia's Davit Skhirtladze in action against Germany ©Getty Images

CZECH REPUBLIC
The only side to not drop a point nor concede a goal in the qualifying round, the Czech Republic should prove formidable on home soil. Striker Filip Twardzik, who like twin brother Patrik plays for Celtic FC, scored in every match. In February in La Manga they did lose 3-1 to elite round opponents the Netherlands and also went down 4-1 to Ukraine in Turkey last year. However, coach Jiří Štol hopes that his side have improved since those defeats. "All our opponents are strong. I expect very close results and each side could qualify," he said. "I hope that our fans help."

Qualifying round: Belarus 1-0, San Marino 4-0, Switzerland 4-0 (Group 13 winners)

Key players: Filip Twardzik (forward, Celtic FC), Filip Rozsíval (midfielder, Hamburger SV), Jakub Sokolík (midfielder, Liverpool FC)

GEORGIA
Georgia beat Scotland but lost to Austria and Italy on their elite round bow last year, and coach Giorgi Devdariani has given this season's squad plenty of preparation. At the start of the year they drew 1-1 with Belgium before beating them 5-1. Earlier this month they lost 1-0 in Germany, though were without FC Barcelona striker Giorgi Chantirua, who returned to score twice in a 2-0 win against Austrian club FC Welzenegg's U19 team. Devdariani, without suspended David Khotcholava in Thursday's opener against the Czech Republic, said: "Our goal is to qualify for the final tournament. I think we have a chance."

Qualifying round: Portugal 0-2, Scotland 2-1, Cyprus 4-2 (Group 10 runners-up)

Key players: Giorgi Chanturia (forward, FC Barcelona), Davit Skhirtladze (midfielder, FC Norchi Dinamoeli Tbilisi), Tsotne Kharabadze (defender, FC Gagra)

NETHERLANDS
Albert Stuivenberg has a perfect record of qualification in his three previous seasons in charge with the Netherlands finishing runners-up in Germany last May. Hopes of a fourth successful elite round were heightened in February when the Jong Oranje won the La Manga tournament, beating Norway 2-0 and Group 1 hosts the Czech Republic 3-1 before losing 2-1 to Denmark. They then defeated Greece 2-0 in a home friendly earlier this month. "We are in a tough group, and that is a huge challenge," Stuivenberg said. "It would be fantastic if we can be at the highest European stage for the fourth successive time, with a superb finish in the finals last season."

Qualifying round: Andorra 4-0, Malta 1-2, Northern Ireland 1-0 (Group 8 winners)

Key players: Jürgen Locadia (forward, Willem II/RKC Waalwijk), Davy Klaassen (midfielder, AFC Ajax), Lesley de Sa (forward, AFC Ajax)

UKRAINE
Coach Aleksandr Lysenko took his side to the Algarve Tournament last month, drawing 0-0 with hosts Portugal, then losing 3-0 to England and 1-0 to France. However, they secured a 3-1 win against Azerbaijan in Cyprus at the start of month and Lysenko is hopeful. "I always tell my boys to aim for the highest goal, to qualify for the final tournament," the 58-year-old coach said. "We are able to achieve that as we have many promising players."

Qualifying round: Estonia 0-0, Slovenia 1-0, France 1-1 (Group 7 runners-up)

Key players: Anton Bratkov (defender, FC Dynamo Kyiv), Vladislav Kalitvintsev (midfielder, FC Dynamo Kyiv), Ivan Lukanyuk (forward, FC Shakhtar Donetsk)

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