Porto pot luck for Eusébio
Monday, February 6, 2006
Article summary
Portuguese footballing legend Eusébio will help conduct the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals draw in Porto on 8 February.
Article body
Portuguese legend
Mozambique-born Eusébio was named Portugal's Golden Player by the Portuguese Football Federation as part of UEFA's jubilee celebrations in 2004, having shone for both SL Benfica and the national team. He will carry out the draw along with UEFA National Teams Committee chairman Lagrell.
Porto draw
The draw for the 2006 European U21 Championship finals will take place at the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto at midday on 8 February. Hosts Portugal (position A1) will be seeded along with holders Italy (B1) and the two teams with the best coefficients based on qualifying results - Denmark and Germany (who cannot face each other).
Other challengers
The other challengers are France, Serbia and Montenegro, Ukraine and the Netherlands. The sides will be divided into two groups of four, with the winners of each pool advancing to play the runners-up from the other section, and vice versa, in the semi-finals.
Superb record
Italy and the Serbo-Montenegrins contested the 2004 final, with Claudio Gentile's Azzurrini winning 3-0 to make it five victories in the last seven editions. Germany, as hosts, were also involved in the previous U21 championship. Portugal have a superb record in UEFA's other youth competitions, but are yet to reign at this level.
