Holders Italy to face hosts
Monday, February 25, 2002
Article summary
Italy have been drawn to face hosts Switzerland in the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Article body
France in Group B
Meanwhile France, the competition’s other seeded team, will meet Greece, Belgium and the Czech Republic in Group B.
Enviable record
Italy, who are coached by former national-team defender Claudio Gentile, have an enviable record at U-21 level, having won four of the last five tournaments. England's two victories in the tournament were in 1982 and 1984.
Eight teams
The eight-team final tournament will take place in Switzerland between 16 and 28 May. Italy were seeded in the competition as defending champions while France - winners of the 1988 edition - have the best results coefficient from qualifying games and play-offs for the tournament.
Final in Basel
Basel and Zürich will host the Group A matches and Lausanne and Geneva Group B. The top two sides from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The final will take place at the Saint Jakob stadium in Basel on 28 May.
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