Hazard holds the key for Belgium

Hosts Belgium go into UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite round Group 4 hoping star midfielder Eden Hazard can help them reach the finals, but Switzerland, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland have other ideas.

Previous meetings
Winners of the UEFA Junior Tournament in 1977, Belgium have qualified for three U19 finals but have won just one of their nine finals matches, losing six. Switzerland (2-0 in 2004) and Ireland (2-1 in 2002) – whom Belgium face on Matchday 1 – have both got the better of the Young Devils on the big stage. Ireland won this competition as an U18 event but have not made the finals since 2002, when they finished fourth. Switzerland also boast just one final-tournament appearance, losing to Turkey in the 2004 semis, while Sweden are targeting a first qualification.

BELGIUM
Marc Van Geersom's side is based on the squad that lost to Spain in the 2007 U17 semi-finals on home soil, with Hazard – already a senior international – their most impressive performer. Progress is not the be-all and end-all for the coach, who told uefa.com: "This team have it in them to qualify, but this should not stand in the way of the learning process. The progress that every player can make remains the priority."

Qualifying round: Kazakhstan 2-1, Estonia 5-0, Croatia 2-2 (Group 4 winners)

Key players: Dimitri Daeseleire (right-back, KRC Genk), Christian Benteke (striker, R. Standard de Liège), Eden Hazard (attacking midfielder, LOSC Lille Métropole)

SWITZERLAND
Eclipsing Spain to win a tough qualifying group in Belarus has filled Switzerland with belief, with coach Claude Ryf saying: "Qualifying was tough, but it also gave us great confidence. We will go into the Elite round with a lot of motivation and have the potential to beat any opponent." Raphael Koch is a capable defensive marshal, while midfielder Daniel Unal and striker Marco Schönbächler can both score goals.

Qualifying round: Belarus 2-1, Faroe Islands 3-1, Spain 2-0 (Group 13 winners)

Key players: Raphael Koch (defender, FC Zürich), Daniel Unal (midfielder, FC Basel 1893), Marco Schönbächler (forward, FC Zürich)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Coach Sean McCaffrey thinks experience could be vital and is therefore delighted to call upon striker Sean Scannell, who has played more than 40 games for Championship club Crystal Palace FC in England. "We're delighted to have Sean; his experience for club and country is crucial," he said. "Seven of this squad played in the U17s last summer in Turkey. We have a difficult group but we'll be confident of challenging for top spot."

Qualifying round: Malta 2-0, Liechtenstein 1-0, France 0-2 (Group 4 runners-up)

Key players: Sean Scannell (forward, Crystal Palace FC), James McCarthy (midfielder, Hamilton Academical FC), Aaron Doran (striker, Blackburn Rovers FC)

SWEDEN
Eight goals scored in three qualifiers is testament to Sweden's strength up front. Rasmus Jönsson is their spearhead, with his strike partner at club level, the great Henrik Larsson, calling him the most natural finisher he has seen. Sweden's trainer Roland Larsson has coached these players since they were 15, and said: "Previously when we've played the Elite round, there's always been a clear favourite. This time all four teams probably feel they have a good chance of progress. Belgium have home advantage, while our boys are chasing revenge against Switzerland who beat us 3-1 in the U17 Elite round two years ago."

Qualifying round: Iceland 3-3, Macedonia 4-0, Austria 1-1 (Group 8 winners)

Key players: Simon Helg (midfielder, Hammarby IF), Miiko Albornoz (midfielder, IF Brommapojkarna), Rasmus Jönsson (striker, Helsingborgs IF)