The year in youth football

By Andrew Haslam

The usual contenders dominated UEFA's youth competitions in 2004, with Italy, Spain and France all collecting more silverware, although there was disappointment for the European hopefuls in the Olympic Games.

Italian joy
The UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals took place in Germany, although without holders the Czech Republic who were eliminated by Switzerland in the qualifying round. Italy, winners in 2000, regained their crown in style, overcoming nine-man Serbia and Montenegro 3-0 in the final with Cesare Bovo, Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Gilardino on target in Bochum.

Senior success
Portugal pipped Sweden to third place, in the process clinching Europe's fourth and final place in the men's Olympics tournament alongside the two finalists, and hosts Greece. Gilardino and Sweden's Johan Elmander who both scored four times in the U21 finals, have subsequently established themselves in their country's senior squads.

Youngest scorer
A number of players from the U21 finals impressed at UEFA EURO 2004™, Swiss striker Johan Vonlanthen becoming the youngest ever scorer in a UEFA European Championship finals when he struck against France aged 18 years 141 days. Philipp Lahm appeared in every minute of Germany's three games and Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger also featured for Rudi Völler's side.

Bronze consolation
Italy were unable to repeat their U21 success at August's Olympics, however, although Claudio Gentile's side did defeat Iraq in Athens to take the bronze medal having lost 3-0 to gold medallists Argentina in the semi-finals. The other three European sides failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Spanish celebrations
Italy were also unable to retain their U19 crown, Spain taking the honours at the final tournament in Switzerland thanks to a spectacular late winner from Borja Valero in the Nyon final against Turkey. The Spanish had overcome Ukraine on penalties in the semi-finals, with Turkey defeating their Swiss hosts 3-2 after extra time.

World stage
The four semi-finalists, together with Italy and Germany - the third-placed sides in the finals' group stage - will join hosts the Netherlands in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship next sunmmer.

Potent trident
It was the hosts who emerged victorious at the U17 finals in May, France winning all five games to lift the trophy. The French front three of Jérémy Menez, Hatem Ben Arfa and Samir Nasri took most of the plaudits, scoring seven goals between them.

Nasri delight
Nasri claimed the dramatic winner in the final against Spain, the Olympique de Marseille forward ending the Iberian side's hopes with a fine last-minute goal to give his side a 2-1 victory in Châteauroux. The 2003 winners Portugal overcame England on penalties after a remarkable third-placed play-off had finished 4-4.

Meridian challengers
The top three and Turkey - who reached the finals but were unable to earn a place in the last four - will be Europe's representatives in the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup, to be staged in Turkey in February 2005. Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt and Sierra Leone, Africa's top four U17 sides, will form the opposition.

Busy year
The U17 and U19 finals will be held in Italy and Northern Ireland respectively in 2005, with the Meridian Cup, the World Youth Championship and the FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Peru also on the agenda. The next calendar year looks set to be as eventful as its predecessor.

2004 UEFA youth football roll of honour:

UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winners: Italy
Runners-up: Serbia and Montenegro
Third place: Portugal
Fourth place: Sweden

UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winners: Spain
Runners-up: Turkey
Third place: Switzerland and Ukraine

UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winners: France
Runners-up: Spain
Third place: Portugal
Fourth place: England

Olympic Games men's tournament
Gold: Argentina
Silver: Paraguay
Bronze: Italy