Czech Republic

The Czech Republic return to the finals for the first time since 2011, when they also made their FIFA U-17 World Cup debut. "We're happy to have qualified, but our work isn't finished," said coach Václav Cerný, whose side sealed their place in the tournament thanks to Ondřej Šašinka's strike against Scotland in their concluding elite round game. "The journey to Bulgaria is another great opportunity that may lead to the World Cup."

Goalkeeper Martin Jedlička (1. FK Příbram), defender Matěj Chaluš (Bohemians Praha 1905), central midfielders Michal Sadílek (1. FC Slovácko), Alex Král and Ondřej Žežulka (both SK Slavia Praha) and forward Šašinka (FC Baník Ostrava) impressed in qualifying.

Qualifying round: Romania 2-1, Andorra 1-0, Denmark 1-0 (Group 12 winners)

Elite round: Hungary 1-0, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-2, Scotland 1-0 (Group 7 winners)

Team records

Qualifying top scorer
Ondřej Šašinka: 3

UEFA European Under-17 Championship best
Final: 2006

Coach: Václav Černý

Date of birth: 9 December 1968
Nationality: Czech
Playing career: FK Dukla Praha, FK Příbram, FK Teplice, VTJ Tachov
Coaching career: FK Příbram academy, FK Příbram head youth coach, National regional Czech Republic U13–U15s, Czech Republic U16s, Czech Republic U17s

Černý has spent his coaching career exclusively working with young players at club and national team level. He was appointed U17 coach in 2014, having presided over the U16 squad the previous season, and led the Czechs to the finals for the first time since 2011 with an impressive record of five wins and one draw. His son, U19 international Václav, is on the books at AFC Ajax.