U19s ready for Cannes draw

Cannes is the setting as the 28 sides – including holders Spain and previous winners France and Italy - who have made it through to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round discover their fate in the Elite round draw, which takes place on Thursday afternoon.

Czech finals
Spain claimed the title for the third time in five years in Linz in July with a 1-0 win against Greece, and both sides – together with last season's semifinalists France and Germany – will be involved again as the 28 survivors from their qualifying round are divided into seven groups of four teams in the draw, which is taking place during the ninth UEFA Elite Youth Football Conference. The winners of each Elite round section will join hosts the Czech Republic in the final tournament, which will be held from 14 to 26 July 2008.

Elite round draw
Portugal, England, Turkey, Russia and Italy will also be in the draw with each having won their qualifying round section to progress to the Elite round. The draw will be conducted by Dr Viacheslav Koloskov, the chairman of UEFA's Youth and Amateur Football Committee and Jim Boyce, first vice chairman of the committee.