Germany block hosts' path

By Kevin Ashby

Hungary were handed the toughest of UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship assignments today when the hosts were paired with world champions Germany in one of two groups for this summer's finals.

Seeded team
Hungary qualified automatically as hosts and were the seeded team in Group A. The other seven teams involved in today's draw in Héviz - a spa town close to Lake Balaton located 250km south-west of the capital Budapest - had qualified as group winners from the second qualifying round.

Random draw
Those nations were randomly drawn into slots B1, A2, B2, A3, B3, A4 and B4 by Lothar Matthäus, the German legend who now coaches Hungary's men's team, and TV personality Barbara Konta under the watchful eye of Karen Espelund, chair of UEFA's Women's Football Committee.

Past winners
Hungary drew Germany, Finland and Switzerland - three countries who also faced each other at the same stage last season, with Germany and eventual winners Spain progressing from the pool. Group B contains 2003 winners France, first-time finalists Scotland and two recent semi-finalists, Russia and England.

Summer event
The group matches will be played between 20 and 25 July, with the semi-finals taking place on 28 July and the final three days later. The tournament will also serve as qualifying for the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Russia. Matches will be played in the towns of Bük, Pápa, Andráshida and Zalaegerszeg.

4th UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship draw: