U19 Elite qualifiers confirmed

Seven groups
Unlike in previous years, the seven Elite round groups are not pre-determined, meaning only at the end of the month will the qualifiers know who their three mini-tournament opponents will be next spring, with only one berth from each pool available for the summer's finals in Poland. Two-time winners Spain, 2005 runners-up England and the Czech Republic were seeded through the qualifying round, but 25 other teams won through over the last two months.

France through
Holders France are not only defending this title but also attempting to become the first side to win UEFA's junior youth event, in their case the 2004 European U17 Championship, and then the equivalent competition for the next age group two years later. They began well with three wins in Group 7, their squad largely the same as that which lifted the 2004 U17 crown. In the same section, Austria pipped Wales to second on goal difference.

Irish delight

Semi-finalists advance

Hungary survive

European U19 Championship

Hosts: Poland qualify automatically for the finals
Seeds: Spain, England and Czech Republic qualify automatically for the Elite round

Qualifying round
Group winners
Group 1: Georgia
Group 2: Denmark
Group 3: Israel
Group 4: Russia
Group 5: Sweden
Group 6: Republic of Ireland
Group 7: France (holders)
Group 8: Switzerland
Group 9: Turkey
Group 10: Germany
Group 11: Croatia
Group 12: Serbia and Montenegro

Runners-up
Group 1: Slovenia
Group 2: Slovakia
Group 3: Cyprus
Group 4: Portugal
Group 5: Belgium
Group 6: Northern Ireland
Group 7: Austria
Group 8: Scotland
Group 9: F.Y.R. Macedonia
Group 10: Belarus
Group 11: Bulgaria
Group 12: Ukraine

Best third-placed side
Group 5: Hungary