Holders handed home challenge

Holders Italy have been handed a difficult task in the draw for the third finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, which was made in Basel on 2 June.

Home comfort
The draw, which took place at half-time in the senior international friendly between UEFA EURO 2004™ finalists Switzerland and Germany as FC Basel 1893's Saint Jakob Park stadium, paired the holders with host nation Switzerland, Belgium and Ukraine in Group A.

Spanish test
In the other section, 2002 winners Spain face Germany, Poland  - who won this tournament when it was a U18 event in 2001 - and Belgium in Group B. The final tournament takes place in Switzerland between 13 and 24 July. 

Finely balanced
The draw, which was conducted by Swiss international Marco Zsissig, provoked a positive response from Swiss coach Pierre-André Schürmann. "We have seen all the teams and followed the qualifying rounds. We think that the two groups are balanced on both a technical and physical level," admitted Schürmann.

Good spirit
"As preparation for the final round we have played several friendly games which we have played in the same spirit as qualifying matches.The players have to make the most of this experience to play in Switzerland on home soil. It will come in handy when they play in the the World Youth Championship in Holland and also UEFA EURO 2008(tm) which is also in Switzerland. We must take this unique chance."

3rd UEFA European Under-19 Championship draw: