Sextet on starting grid

By Luke Williams

With the FIFA World Youth Championship kicking off on Thursday, uefa.com presents a guide to the European nations battling for honours in the United Arab Emirates.

Slovakia (Group A)
The lowdown: Here thanks to an unexpected third-place finish at the 2002 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, Slovakia open the tournament against hosts the UAE. With Panama and Burkina Faso also in their group, they have a chance to make a mark. An attacking side, Slovakia can be naïve in defence (witness a recent 4-0 reverse against Spain). However, their squad has remained pretty consistent personnel wise since U15 level.
Coach's view: "We need to hit the ground running with a win in our first game" - Peter Polák.
Ones to watch: Midfield enforcer Marián Kurty and striker Filip Šebo, who top scored at the European Championship.
Previous tournament best: First appearance.
All-time ranking: As part of Czechoslovakia, 39th.
uefa.com prognosis: Will win friends and could spring a few upsets.

Spain (Group B)
The lowdown: U19 champions of Europe last year and winners of this tournament in 1999 - Spain's pedigree is beyond question. They face champions Argentina in a mouth-watering opener - even if they lose they should be too strong for Mali and Uzbekistan. An attractive side, even the absence of some of the youngsters who helped them qualify, Fernando Torres among them, should not really matter.
Coach's view: "We are very excited at being in the competition and, as always, our aim is to win" - Armando Ufarte.
Ones to watch: Andrés Iniesta of whom Spanish youth guru Juan Santisteban remarked: "You don't teach Iniesta about football, he teaches you."
Previous tournament best: Winners 1999.
All-time ranking: Third.
uefa.com prognosis: Potential champions.

Czech Republic (Group C)
The lowdown: The Czechs are much changed from the side that sporadically impressed at the European Championship in 2002. Sadly, the coach of that side, Josef Krejča, has since died, while three key players (Martin Kolár, Václav Trojan and Tomás Jun) have moved up to the Under-21s. Additionally, Martin Latka and Pavel Fort will only arrive in time for the second game. However, recent results are good, including a 3-0 win against Germany and a 2-1 victory against the hosts.
Coach's view: "We played the whole autumn without [several players] and didn't do too badly" - Pavel Vrba.
Ones to watch: Captain and midfield player Tomás Sivok and defender Petr Knakal.
Previous tournament best: Quarter-finals 2001.
All-time ranking: 42nd; 39th as part of Czechoslovakia.
uefa.com prognosis: Tough group alongside Brazil, Australia and Canada but have the ability to go far.

England (Group D)
The lowdown: Flattered to deceive at the 2002 European Championship but still qualified. The side is much-changed, with Les Reed now in charge and several Premiership players missing, or promoted to U21 and senior ranks. Still have bags of ability but the draw, placing them with Japan, Colombia and Egypt, has been extremely unkind.
Coach's view: "We have the opportunity to show the rest of the world the excellent young talent that we have" - Reed.
Ones to watch: Forward Michael Chopra and midfield player Gary O'Neil.
Previous tournament best: Third in 1993.
All-time ranking: 12th.
uefa.com prognosis: If they can get through the group anything is possible.

Republic of Ireland (Group E)
The lowdown: Brian Kerr, now senior coach, worked wonders at youth levels for years and his legacy is a formidable team spirit and set-up. Opponents Ivory Coast, Mexico and Saudi Arabia are all beatable and the Irish have been in great form, beating the Czech Republic 3-0 and winning a four-nation Abu Dhabi tournament in January.
Coach's view: "How do you follow Brian?" - Gerry Smith.
Ones to watch: Forward Jonathan Daly of Stockport County FC.
Previous tournament best: Third in 1997.
All-time ranking: 19th.
uefa.com prognosis: Underestimate them at your peril.

Germany (Group F)
The lowdown: Reached the final of the 2002 European Championship but Mike Hanke, Philipp Lahm and Sacha Riether are absent due to Bundesliga duties and expectations are low. However, coach Ulrich Stielike is an excellent organiser and motivator so the Germans will have every chance in a group that also contains the Korean Republic, Paraguay and the United States.
Coach's view: "We have to revise our goal which was reaching the quarters. We want to survive the group and this is going to be difficult enough" - Stielike.
Ones to watch: Midfield player Piotr Trochowski and defender Robert Huth.
Previous tournament best: Winners 1981 (as West Germany).
All-time ranking: Tenth.
uefa.com prognosis: May prove stronger than they themselves think.

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Additional reporting by Ladislav Josef, Andy Hall and Manfred Christoph