Portugal were the hosts a year ago when John Peacock's side, including the likes of Steven Taylor, Aaron Lennon and James Milner, who have all enjoyed Premiership experience, went out of the Finals in painful fashion, losing on penalties.

England led twice through first-half strikes from Dean Bowditch and Milner, but a last-minute equaliser set up a penalty shoot-out.  Spurred on by a vociferous Portuguese crowd, the home side triumphed from 12 yards and England went out, missing out on not only a place in the Final, but a route in to FIFA's World Under-17 Championship - the prize on offer for the best two finishers.

John PeacockPortugal went on to lift the trophy, beating Spain 2-1 in the finale, and Peacock will see this May's meeting as a chance to lay the demons to rest.

The Three Lions qualified with maximum points from Group Two last weekend, beating Armenia, Iceland and Norway and were in the pot for today's draw for the Finals, held in Blois in France, venue for the opening game of the eight-team tournament.

England were picked to go into Group B.  Along with Portugal, we will also face Austria to whom we lost in the third place play-off a year ago, while Ukraine - a relatively unknown quantity - make up the group of four. 

"It's a fairly even draw with the three teams in our group," said Peacock after the draw, "but we will be looking to go one better after going out to Portugal last year."

He added: "Austria, who we know, are very well organised and are coming on in terms of youth football, so will be tough proposition once again.

"Meanwhile, Ukraine, who I haven't personally met since 1995, have a number of technically very good players and qualified from their group beating Germany, so we certainly won't be underestimating them." 

In Group A, hosts France - who kick off in the first game on 4 May, are joined by Northern Ireland, Spain and Turkey.  The final 11 days later will take place in Châteauroux.

Group A

Group B

France

Ukraine

Northern Ireland

England

Spain

Austria

Turkey

Portugal



Stay logged on to TheFA.com for all the latest in the build up to the Finals including the news of England's first game on 4 May, with opponents and venue still to be confirmed.