2017: The road to Poland

Friday 31 July 2015

Qualifying is under way for the 12-team 2017 final tournament in Poland with the first full set of fixtures in September. See who is making the early running in the nine groups.

2017: The road to Poland

2017: The road to Poland ©FAF

2015–17 U21 qualifying starts on Thursday

2015–17 U21 qualifying starts on Thursday

The road to the 2017 finals in Poland, the first to contain 12 teams, starts on Thursday with the Republic of Ireland hosting Andorra, one of four qualifiers this month.

U21 draw whets appetite for Poland boss Dorna

U21 draw whets appetite for Poland boss Dorna

"The biggest challenge of my footballing life" was Poland coach Marcin Dorna's take on the 2017 Under-21 finals, which moved closer with Thursday's qualifying draw.

2017 Under-21 qualifying group stage draw

2017 Under-21 qualifying group stage draw

Italy and Serbia, who played in the 2004 final and are both in this summer's final tournament, will meet again in 2017 qualifying following Thursday's draw.

Qualifying group stage

Qualifying group stage

The 52 entrants were drawn into nine groups – seven of six teams and two of five.

2015–17 U21 qualifying starts on Thursday

2015–17 U21 qualifying starts on Thursday

The road to the 2017 finals in Poland, the first to contain 12 teams, starts on Thursday with the Republic of Ireland hosting Andorra, one of four qualifiers this month.