UEFA draws for Azzurrini sides

The draws for the Elite round of the UEFA Under 19's and Under 17's European Championships were made in Cannes this week.

Both Azzurrini age groups are looking to qualify for next years tournaments but they have been handed tough groups.

Italy's Under 19 side, coached by Francesco Rocca, topped Group 13 of the qualification section with wins over Montenegro (3-1), Malta (2-0) and Croatia (3-1) earlier this month.

The 2003 winners have now been drawn with 2005 champions France in the Elite round, along with Sweden and Switzerland in Group 6.

Spain are the current champions at this level - and have won it in the last two editions.

The winners of each of the seven Elite round sections, which will be completed by 30 May 2008, will join hosts the Czech Republic in the final tournament, which will be held from 14 to 26 July 2008.

The Azzurrini's Under 17 group, who have won the tournament only one in 1982, also qualified with ease with wins over Armenia (2-1), Cyprus (7-1) and Czech Republic (2-1) in qualification Group 13 in October.

Luca Gotti's young side now face holders Spain in Group 6 of the Elite round, along with Austria and Romania.

The Under 17's Elite round will be completed by the end of March 2008, with the seven winning teams from each section progressing to the final draw. The final tournament will be held in Turkey, between 4 and 16 May 2008.

[UEFA Under 19] - [UEFA Under 17]