Under-21s step into the light

Overshadowed
The U21 competition, which began as an U23 event in 1970/72 and was played under a number of different formats, has usually reached its climax on the eve of one of the two major senior tournaments. Not only has this meant that media interest has already turned to the main action to come, but it has also led to some of the best U21 players missing the junior finals and being saved for the senior.

'Stars of tomorrow'
But this year's U21 championship in Portugal, for which the draw is made today and which ends only five days before the FIFA World Cup begins in Germany, will be the last of its kind. From 2007 the competition moves to odd-numbered years, freeing it from the clash with the biggest two tournaments, and giving more space to the U21 event which, competition manager Pascal Cornu told uefa.com, showcases "the stars of tomorrow". That decision was announced by the UEFA Executive Committee last June. UEFA CEO Lars-Christer Olsson said: "It has been living in the shadow of the big championships, the World Cup or the European Championship, as it has been played just before the final rounds."

'Conflict'
The move will suit the players too. The likes of Andrea Pirlo, Petr Čech and Alberto Gilardino have been on winning teams in the last three editions, but 2002 runners-up France, who lost on penalties to the Czech Republic after a 0-0 draw, were denied a key man, Djibril Cissé, because he was called into the World Cup squad. That conflict will no longer occur. "It will give the opportunity for national associations to give players who usually would be at the World Cup or the EURO the opportunity to play at another important tournament," Cornu said.

'Easier to organise'
Another advantage is that the hosts can be picked more than a year in advance. Previously, the finals venue was selected from among the eight qualifiers once the play-offs ended in November - such as Portugal for 2006 - leaving little more than six months to organise the 15-game competition. However, 2007 hosts the Netherlands have more than 18 months to plan their show, and in future, the hosts will be chosen more than two years in advance. Mikael Salzer, UEFA head of national team competitions, said: "We received eight bidders for 2007 and we expect similar interest in the future. Having two years to organise the finals is more convenient for the hosts and for UEFA."

Dutch enthusiasm
Royal Netherlands Football Association general secretary Harry Been, who will be overseeing the 2007 event, agrees wholeheartedly, not least having arranged a successful 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. "You need a year at least," he told uefa.com. "The U21s was not a high-interest tournament. Then UEFA made changes to the odd years, to market it more and to pick the organisers up front. We had a very successful 2005, so there was positive feeling about hosting 2007." Towns all over the country are competing to hold matches. "About 13 cities are interested in about four places," Been said. "That makes it interesting for us - we are interested in getting good stadiums, and most importantly, full stadiums. And we need cities to organise events, to build up the enthusiasm, to put the event on the map."

TV rights
Not only are cities enthusiastic to stage games, but the media are going to town too. Been revealed: "We are about to sell TV rights to Talpa, a commercial channel. They are willing to make something out of it. We told them they should have a live show every day with guests, highlights, trailers and items about the participating teams." The competition relaunch has also attracted a record number of entrants for the 2007 edition, the qualifying draw for which was made last week. Cornu said: "We have 51 teams entered for 2007, which is three more than for 2006."

Extra clout
Even for this summer's finals, the tournament is gaining clout. Cornu said: "The differences will start with the media. The interest has increased. The draw will be televised live, which has never happened before. We have a very good set-up. Even though they have had a very short time to organise it, the FPF [Portuguese Football Federation] is working very hard to make sure it is going to be a very good tournament." That should be just the impetus next year's event needs to truly establish the U21 Championship as one of football's appointment views.