[U17] Euro 2009 Draw

Italy's Under-17s have been handed a tough group for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Finals after the draw was made in Leipzig today.

The Azzurrini, who qualified for the finals for the first time since 2005, will face back-to-back reigning champions Spain, last year's runners-up France and Switzerland in Group A.

The summer tournament, which will be played in 12 different Eastern German cities, will take place between 6 and 18 May.

Hosts Germany are in Group B with England, the Netherlands and Turkey.

Pasquale Salerno's Italy sealed their qualification for the tournament last month when they progressed through the Elite round with victories over Austria, Georgia and Scotland. Last October, the Azzurrini had to progress past Cyprus and Latvia in the Qualifying round along with the Netherlands.

Italy will open the tournament against the holders Spain on Wednesday 6 May in Dessau-Rosslau.

They will then play Switzerland in Torgau on Saturday 9 May, before concluding the group stage against France in Taucha three days later.

The top two teams from each group will go through to the semi-finals scheduled for 15 May in Grimma and Dessau-Rosslau. The Final will be played in Magdeburg on 18 May.

The sides which finish third in each group will progress along with the semi-finalists to the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria between 24 October and 15 November.

Group A
France, Italy, Spain & Switzerland.

Group B
England, Germany, Netherlands & Turkey.


Group Fixtures
Wednesday 6 May
Dessau-Rosslau - Spain 0-0 Italy (1000)
Markranstadt - France 1-1 Switzerland (1000)
Gera - England 1-1 Netherlands (1000)
Erfurt - Germany 3-1 Turkey (1715)
Saturday 9 May
Grimma - Spain 0-0 France (1100)
Torgau - Italy 1-3 Switzerland (1300)
Meuselwitz - Turkey 1-2 Netherlands (1300)
Jena - Germany 4-0 England (1300)
Tuesday 12 May
Sandersdorf - Switzerland 0-0 Spain (1000)
Taucha - Italy 2-1 France (1000)
Jena - Netherlands 0-2 Germany (1645)
Gotha - Turkey 1-0 England (1645)

Semi-Final Fixtures
Friday 15 May
Grimma - Switzerland 1-2 Netherlands (1000)
Dessau-Rosslau - Germany 2-0 Italy (1645)

Final
Monday 18 May
Magdeburg - Netherlands 1-2 Germany (1000)

* All kick off times stated are UK time. +1hr for Italy, CET and local German time.

[Italy Preview & Squad]

Source: UEFA