Tough finals test for U17s

John Peacock's side, who overcame Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Scotland to qualify for the finals, have been thrown together in Group B with Israel, and two former champions, Spain and Italy, for the 8-team competition that kicks off on May 7th.

England will know a little of their Italian counterparts having drawn 2-2 with them last July at Oxford United. But they have not faced Spain or Israel for quite sometime.

However, Spain's Under-16 side were awesome when they won a four-team friendly tournament involving England in the North East just before Christmas, and some of those very talented players may well be involved.

Peacock was delighted to have reached the finals, qualifying in style from a difficult group, but he acknowledges that his team have an even harder job in front of them: "I think it is an excellent draw," said the England Coach, "It was very important for us to reach the finals having come through a tough qualifying draw. We are delighted to be playing in May.

"It will be very very difficult but we've said all along it's not just about winning, it's about getting players in the European finals because that's where you come up against the very best teams."

He added: "We want to be one of those teams but more importantly we want the boys to experience what it's like to play at a major championship."

In Group A, hosts Portugal are in with Austria, Denmark and Hungary, who knocked out current holders Switzerland, finishing above them in qualification Group 5.

So the two final groups are;

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