Teenage kicks in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a little place, a principality of just 33,000 people, hidden away in the Alps between Switzerland and Austria, but for some of Europe's finest young footballers this speck on the map will become a field of dreams over the next eleven days.

Eight teams contest crown
The UEFA European Under-19 Championship kicks off in Europe's fourth smallest country on Wednesday when eight teams will contest the crown last worn by Spain after last year's final tournament in Norway. This time Spain are not involved, having been eliminated by France, and René Girard's side must rank among the favourites as four-times winners of this tournament, most recently in 2000 in its previous guise as an Under-18 championship.

Reason for optimism
The French are not the only ones with reason for optimism. England and Italy both won all six matches en route to the finals. Serial winners at youth level, Portugal will fear no one while the Czech Republic were finalists two summers ago and, according to France coach Girard, "represent the top level in Europe".

Two groups
The tournament divides the eight finalists into two groups. For the first time, the top two in each section will advance to semi-finals, rather than the winners progressing automatically to the final, and there will be no third-place play-off. Group A comprises Liechtenstein, Portugal, Norway and Italy. Group B brings together France, Czech Republic, England and Austria.

Hosts 'will give everything'
For Liechtenstein, who as hosts qualified automatically, this is a rare treat: only once before, in the 1998 UEFA European Under-16 Championship, has a team from the principality, reached the final round of a UEFA youth championship. Coach Ralf Loose, who once won this tournament as a West Germany Under-18 player, said: "As hosts we would not normally be here but we have to play well and give everything to make this tournament a success."

Five match venues
Reinhard Wasler, president of the Liechtenstein Football Association, said hosting the finals represented "a great honour for our small country" and promised to "do our very best". Of the five match venues, the largest is Vaduz's Rheinpark Stadion, home of the Liechtenstein national team, which has a capacity of 4,548. It is the only stadium with proper floodlights and will host five of the 15 matches, including both semi-finals and the final on 26 July. The other four venues are in Balzers, Eschen-Mauren, Schaan and Triesen.

Big stage
The scale may be small but this is a big stage for the 144 players gathered here. Scouts from 32 clubs around Europe are officially accredited for the event, expecting to assess the continent's brightest prospects. The sun is hot - with temperatures in the 30s - and the hope is the youngsters will shine too.