Young guns fired up for 2007

If the qualifying campaign for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship is a taste of things to come, we should be in for quite a ride in the Netherlands next June. There was drama as both Serbia and Portugal overturned three goal, first-leg deficits in the play-offs to qualify, while Italy needed an away win to overcome Spain in a fittingly tight contest between two of the competition's traditional heavyweights. Italy's reward? A tough draw in Group B where they will play the Czech Republic, England and Serbia. The Netherlands face Israel, Portugal and Belgium in Group A.

Walcott shines
While the hosts aim to repeat their success of six months ago, two superb Theo Walcott goals in Germany will have England fans dreaming of a first success since 1984, while Israel are celebrating qualifying for the first time after defeating France. The Czech Republic return to the finals following an exile dating back to their tournament triumph of 2002, which is when Belgium also last featured.

Serbian miracle
Serbia coach Miroslav Djukić hailed his side's progress as a "miracle" after they recovered from a 3-0 home loss to Sweden with a crushing 5-0 victory in the return. It is the first time Serbia have qualified for a UEFA competition as an independent nation, but the region has a long and successful U21s history and Djukić's charges will have every intention of making the most of their lifeline. Yugoslavia were the inaugural champions in 1978 and more recently, Serbia and Montenegro made the final in 2004 and the semi-finals in Portugal in May.

Success
Serbia's story vindicates the decision to take a chance on the inexperienced Djukić who, like Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi, is enjoying success in his first major coaching position. The appointment of 37-year-old Casiraghi following Italy's early exit last summer came as a surprise, though the former Italy forward has quickly taken to the role. "It doesn't get much better than this," he said after beating Spain. Some may beg to differ; the Azzurrini have won the tournament five times, more than any other country.

Montolivo on target
Casiraghi has Italy playing some attractive football with four attacking midfielders supporting one striker in a 4-1-4-1 formation. The goalscoring prowess of Riccardo Montolivo in particular is turning heads. England, too, should prove quite a draw with coach Peter Taylor, who is still to be confirmed in the post for next summer, building a team based on pace and width with the likes of Wayne Routledge, James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor complementing the precocious Walcott.

'Dream Team'
Italy's pedigree at this level contrasts starkly with the inexperience of Israel who made front-page news when they became the first Israeli side to qualify for a major showpiece since the 1976 Olympics. Hailed as the "Dream Team", Guy Levy's boys have come full circle. Israel were forced to play their opening qualifying tie on neutral soil, beginning their campaign at "home" to Wales in Waalwijk. They will return to the Netherlands as heroes, although Levy has a battle to hold on to forwards Amit Ben Shushan and Toto Tamuz who have been dividing their time between the senior squad and the Under-21s. Watch out too for 17-year-old Chelsea FC prospect Ben Sahar who scored the crucial away goal in France.

Talent
Portugal are also packed with talent allied to a positive attitude, so different from the team that limply bowed out in the group stage on home soil last season. João Moutinho is the brains of a group that new coach José Couceiro has forged on the hunger and drive of newcomers Manuel da Costa, Yannick Djaló and Miguel Veloso. After recovering from a 4-1 first-leg reverse in Moscow to knock out Russia, Couceiro's likely lads seem to have the self-belief to see off any opponent.

Cool head
Belgium showed a cool head as well to overcome Bulgaria after suffering heartache against Ukraine at the same stage last term. A goal in added time cost them a place in Portugal but coach Jean-François De Sart ensured there would be no repeat as they romped to victory in Sofia. Maarten Martens was among the scorers and De Sart will be expecting the AZ Alkmaar wide man to have a similar impact next June.

Experience
Being in charge may be new to Casiraghi and Djukić, but two men who have seen it all before are veterans Ladislav Škorpil and Foppe de Haan. The 61-year-old Škorpil was made to sweat by his Czech Republic side before Tomáš Frejlach's late goal ousted Bosnia-Herzegovina. There were no such worries for De Haan, 63, whose squad qualified automatically as hosts. He has, however, been busy rebuilding a winning team after losing the likes of Klaas Jan Huntelaar, leading scorer in 2006, and captain Stijn Schaars to the seniors.

'Excellent'
Royal Netherlands Football Association president Mathieu Sprengers has every confidence that De Haan will find another winning formula as he strives to build on a successful showing in Portugal. "An excellent tournament from the host nation is one of the biggest stimuli," he said. "And let's be a bit modest, we should have an above-average team to play in our country next year."