Azzurrini learn Euro 2009 qualifying fate

Italy will face Croatia, Greece, Albania, Azerbaijan and the Faroe Islands in the qualifying stages for the 2009 U-21 European Championship Finals.

The draw took place in Stockholm on Tuesday and the matches will begin before the start of the 2007 Finals in the Netherlands this summer.

Sweden, as hosts, qualify automatically and are the only side guaranteed a place in the eight-team event, while the 10 group winners and four best second-placed sides in the group stage will qualify for the two-legged play-offs – scheduled for October 2008.

"We were drawn in the only six-team group and therefore we will have two extra matches to play compared to the other sides," said Azzurrini boss Pierluigi Casiraghi. "Ours isn’t an easy group.

"The friendly with Croatia represented my debut on the Italy bench and I remember it ended with a goalless draw.

"I also played against then when I was a player, their tactics are very similar to ours.

"Greece are also dangerous opponents and I am sure they can do well, especially after the Olympic Games in Athens."

The Azzurrini have qualified for the final phase of this year’s tournament, which will take place from June 10 to June 23.

Group 1:
Italy
Croatia
Greece
Albania
Azerbaijan
Faroe Islands

Group 2:
Czech Republic
Ukraine
Turkey
Armenia
Liechtenstein

Group 3:
Portugal
England
Bulgaria
Republic of Ireland
Montenegro

Group 4:
Spain
Russia
Poland
Georgia
Kazakhstan

Group 5:
Netherlands
Switzerland
Norway
Macedonia
Estonia

Group 6:
Denmark
Slovenia
Lithuania
Finland
Scotland

Group 7:
Belgium
Slovakia
Iceland
Austria
Cyprus

Group 8:
Serbia
Hungary
Belarus
Latvia
San Marino

Group 9:
Germany
Israel
Moldova
Northern Ireland
Luxembourg

Group 10:
France
Romania
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Wales
Malta