Armenia's finals countdown

By Khachik Chakhoyan

Making Armenia's debut in the finals of an international tournament at any level, Samvel Petrosyan's side will be seeking to make a lasting impression at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship tournament in Northern Ireland this summer.

Marked improvement
After failing to gain even a point in their first two European U19 Championship qualifying campaigns, Armenia finished first in a difficult qualifying round group including eventual semi-finalists Ukraine and France last season. They never recovered from a 5-0 opening day defeat by Germany in the second stage, however, and the campaign ended in disappointment as defeats by Slovakia and Portugal followed.

Familiar foes
Armenia again found themselves in the same group as France in their qualifying round section this season and despite losing 2-1 at the hands of Jean Gallice's team in their opening game, an undefeated run of five matches took the side through to their first finals tournament, beginning with a 2-1 win against F.Y.R. Macedonia, then a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan to earn a place in the Elite round.

Convincing qualification
In the Elite round, Armenia began with a goalless draw against 2003 winners Italy before Petrosyan's players recorded a narrow one-goal win against a tricky Belgium side. They sealed their progress in much more emphatic style, with a 5-1 win against mini-tournament hosts Hungary.

Key players
Striker Edgar Manucharyan , who joins AFC Ajax from FC Pyunik this summer, scored four of his side's five goals against Hungary, taking his qualifying tally to eight. The Armenian prodigy has also made appearances for the senior national side, as has Pyunik club-mate and goalkeeper Edel Bete. With the exception of Manucharyan, two other players ply their trade outside of Armenia: FC Sokol Saratov defender Artur Stepanyan and Gurgen Melisketyan of FC Lokomotiv Moskva. Zhora Hovhannisyan, son of FC Pyunik president and former Soviet Union great Khoren Hovhannisyan, is very much the team’s engine room in midfield, while Carl Lombe provides defensive energy and attacking flair.