England U17s will face Italy, Czech Republic and Albania next March to compete for a place in the European U17 Championship Finals.
The draw for the Elite Qualifying Round took place at UEFA’s Swiss headquarters in Nyon on Thursday morning, with John Peacock’s Young Lions learning their fate after cruising through the First Qualifying Round in October.
Only one nation from the four can progress to the Finals in Malta next May, in what will be one of the most competitive international tournaments for the U17s in their young careers so far.
Czech Republic will play host to the matches, which take place between 26-31 March.
UEFA U17s Elite Qualifying Round
Czech Rep, England, Italy, Albania
26-31 March 2014
Czech Republic
Peacock’s side were amongst the top seeds for the draw, following their impressive record in the previous round last month.
Victories over hosts Armenia, Gibraltar and Republic of Ireland meant England progressed with a perfect record and they will be hoping to take that form into 2014, which starts with a trip to Portugal for the annual Algarve Tournament in February.
Meanwhile, the draw for next season’s First Qualifying Round also took place with England pulled out alongside France, Cyprus and Macedonia.
Cyprus will host the matches which take place between 25 and 30 October 2014.
The Draw
Group 1: Spain, Switzerland, Russia (holders), Wales
Group 2: Poland, Turkey, Greece, Norway
Group 3: Netherlands, France, Austria, Sweden
Group 4: England, Italy, Czech Republic, Albania
Group 5: Germany, Serbia, Georgia, Republic of Ireland
Group 6: Romania, Scotland, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group 7: Portugal, Iceland, Latvia, Ukraine
