[Primavera] Final 16 set for Scudetto battle

The regular league phase of the 2008-09 Primavera championship concluded on Saturday and the 16 teams that will battle for the Scudetto in the knockout play-off phase have been confirmed.

The Campionato Nazionale Primavera, which is the highest youth league in Italy, consists a total of 42 teams that are split into three groups - formed of 14 teams each. The top five teams in each group, and the overall best sixth-placed team qualfy for the knockout stage.

Sampdoria are holders of the "Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti" - beating Inter 3-2 in last year's final - and they will be hoping to defend the title after they qualified for the last 16 again this year.

Samp qualified as runners-up from Girone A, as Viareggio tournament champions Juventus won that section. Empoli, Genoa and Siena were the other qualifiers after 26 weekly rounds.

Last year's finalists Inter won Girone B but city rivals AC Milan failed to achieve a top five finish. Chievo, Udinese, Albinoleffe and Treviso join the Nerazzurri in the knockout phase.

Lazio finished as the winners of Girone C ahead of city rivals Roma, Reggina, Palermo and Napoli. Catania also qualified from this section as the best sixth-placed side of all three groups.

The draw for the first two-legged knockout round was made on Tuesday afternoon at the Lega Calcio's headquarters in Milan. The top eight seeds (the 3 group winners, 3 runners-up and two best third-placed sides) were kept apart in the last 16 draw and matches will take place on 16 and 23 May.

Last 16, First Leg
Saturday 16 May 2009
Albinoleffe v Lazio
Catania v Juventus
Empoli v Chievo
Napoli v Genoa
Palermo v Sampdoria
Siena v Inter
Treviso v Reggina
Udinese v Roma

Last 16, Second Leg
Saturday 23 May 2009
Chievo v Empoli
Genoa v Napoli
Inter v Siena
Juventus v Catania
Lazio v Albinoleffe
Reggina v Treviso
Roma v Udinese
Sampdoria v Palermo

Source: Lega Calcio