Swiss ready for U19 festival

Eight finalists
There are eight contenders and, save for two exceptions, each country has fought their way through two qualifying rounds to earn the privilege. The exceptions are Spain, who had a bye into the second round, and Switzerland, who qualified automatically as hosts.

Iberian challenge
The qualifying rounds were not without incident or upset. The Iberian nations of Spain and Portugal have performed consistently well at this level, so much so that of the 14 finals contested since 1988, nine have involved one of these countries.

Winning tradition
In 2002/03 Portugal won the Under-17 tournament and were runners-up in the U19s, while Spain were U19 champions in 2002. It is surprising, then, that only the latter will be represented at this year's championship.

Big names missing
Portugal progressed from their first qualifying group at the expense of Wales and Greece, before losing to both Slovakia and Germany in the second round. The tournament will also be without England, who failed to gain the necessary victory against Ukraine in their final group match to give themselves any chance of qualification.

Spanish class
So, what of the teams that made it through to the final round? Excepting the Swiss hosts, the other seven sides were unbeaten in the second qualifying round, and there is little to choose between them. Spain, a technically gifted and solid defensive outfit, were unfortunate to lose the FIFA World Youth Championship final to Brazil last December, and will start as many people's favourites.

Hard to beat
Holders Italy are always hard to beat, and will be eager to avenge their defeat by Belgium in the first qualifying round when the teams meet again in Group A. The Italians begin with a mouth-watering tie against Switzerland on the opening day.

Home advantage
The hosts come into the tournament in confident mood. With a squad containing ten members of the side which was victorious in the U17 finals two years ago, and home advantage, it is not far-fetched to suggest that their name may be on the trophy come 24 July.

Reasons to believe
Germany are another team high on confidence, scoring frequently and conceding few in the qualifiers. Belgium are a strong defensive unit and will be difficult to break down, and Poland will be looking to add to their U18 title of 2001.

Turkish flair
Turkey may prove to be the flair side of the competition, and their matches in Group B against Germany, Spain and Poland should produce some wonderful entertainment. Ukraine complete the lineup, having won their qualifying group which included much-fancied England. In this summer of footballing upsets, who is to say we are not due another come 24 July?