Holders Germany head Europe's Elite
Friday 28 November 2008
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Germany's Richard Sukuta-Pasu with the trophy in July (©Getty Images)
Holders Germany led the way as 28 teams booked their berths in the 2008/09 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite round, progressing from the qualifying round as one of five sides with a perfect record.
Maximum points
Germany claimed the title for the first time in the Czech Republic last July and this season's squad showed they have the potential to match that achievement, seeing off the Netherlands, Lithuania and Luxembourg to win Group 6. Russia, 2005 champions France, Serbia and Turkey were the other sides to record three wins from three qualifying round fixtures, while four-time champions Spain finished first in Group 13.
Italy out
Last season's runners-up Italy will progress no further, however, having finished third behind Russia and Latvia in Group 3. Denmark and the Czeck Republic claimed the final places in the next stage after finishing first and second in Group 7, meaning Slovakia and Belarus have squeezed into the Elite round, ending as the two best third-placed sides, taking into account their record against the leading pair in their sections.
Draw
The draw for the Elite round takes place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on 4 December with the 28 teams divided into seven groups of four. The winners in each section will progress to the final tournament, where they will join hosts Ukraine for the eight-team event between 21 July and 2 August 2009.
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