Sweden calling for play-off rivals

The play-offs for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship begin this evening as 14 countries compete for seven places alongside Sweden in next summer's finals.

Testing campaign
Sweden qualify automatically as hosts but elsewhere the competition is intense as a long and testing qualifying campaign reaches its climax. It is nearly 16 months since Finland kicked off their Group 6 quest with victory in Denmark, and after topping that section they will hope their excellent form continues against an Austria side also aiming to reach the final tournament for the first time.

France face Germany
That pair meet in Pasching on Friday, when six other teams also see action, before the three remaining first-leg ties are played on Saturday. Turkey provide the opposition for Belarus in Antalya, Germany host France in Magdeburg, while in Cardiff, Wales will look to pull off another surprise when they take on England at Ninian Park.

Wales confident
Brian Flynn's side defeated France and Romania in Group 10 to claim pole position, and after such an impressive run in the competition, goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams insists there is "nothing to fear" from England. "In a way we've got nothing to lose," he said. "We see the [England] players on television constantly, but we're not going to be overawed by them."

Perfect Spain
The other first-leg encounters take place on Saturday, when Switzerland – who knocked out holders the Netherlands in the group stage – welcome to Aarau a Spain team boasting the only perfect record in qualifying. Italy, who have lifted the trophy an unrivalled five times, tackle Israel in Ancona. Denmark face last year's runners-up Serbia in Aalborg.