German test for Northern Irish

Three sides who have never before participated in a UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals will meet in this year's tournament in July after the draw was made in Belfast this afternoon.

German test 
Hosts Northern Ireland will be joined in Group A by Greece – who have not qualified for this event since 1999 when it was played as an Under-18 competition – and Serbia and Montenegro, who last appeared at this stage in the final U18 tournament in 2001. The section is completed by Germany, who are the only one of the eight teams in Northern Ireland who also qualified for the 2004 finals in Switzerland.

First-time finalists
Group B also features a team playing in these finals for the very first time as Armenia – who have never before reached the finals of an international competition at any level – are joined by three sides who last reached this stage in 2003. Norway, England and four-time European U18 champions France will be the opposition for Samvel Petrosyan's side.

Distinguished guests
The draw was conducted at Belfast’s City Hall by UEFA Executive Committee member Michel Platini and Lawrie Sanchez, manager of the senior Northern Ireland national team. Jim Boyce, chairman of UEFA's Youth and Amateur Football committee and president of the Irish Football Association oversaw the draw which was broadcast live on national television in Northern Ireland. The tournament starts on 18 July, with the two semi-finals on 26 July and the final taking place at Windsor Park in Belfast three days later.

2004/05 UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Draw for the final round: