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Europe's Under-18 Championship

By Paul Dobson
Thursday 2 Apr 2009

The 9th AER-FIRA Under-18 European Cup kicks off in Toulon on Saturday, 4 April 2009 with 32 countries taking part.

The tournament started in 2000 but the first three  were for emerging countries. Since 2004 all countries have been able to join in.

The 32 teams are divided into four pools by strength. The winners of Pool A are the European Under-1`8 Champions. The last in Pool A is relegated to Pool B while the top of Pool B is promoted to Pool A and the bottom side in Pool B drops down to Pool C. The Top of Pool C is promoted to Pool B while the bottom of Pool C changes places with the top side of Pool D.

Champions

2004: France
2005: England
2006: England
2007: France
2008: France

The competition is getting tighter. In 2007 it took a penalty shoot-out for France to beat Ireland who had just beaten Italy in injury time.

Pools

Pool A: France, Ireland, England, Italy, Romania, Georgia, Russia and Belgium
Pool B: Spain, Poland, Germany, Portugal;, Ukraine, Netherlands, Lithuania, Switzerland
Pool C: Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, Bulgaria, Latvia, Austria, Denmark, Serbia
Pool D: Israel, Luxembourg, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova, Croatia, Armenia, Côte d' Azur Selection, Monaco

The opening round is in fact also a quarterfinal.

Fixtures

Pool A - Sunday, 5 April

France vs Belgium in La Seyne
Ireland vs Russia in La Valette
England vs Georgia in Hyères
Italy vs Romania in Draguignan

Pool B - Saturday, 4 April

Spain vs Switzerland in La Londe
Poland vs Lithuania in Six-fours
Germany vs Netherlands in Draguignan
Portugal vs Ukraine in Saint-Raphaël

Pool C - Saturday, 4 April

Czech Republic vs Serbia in La Londe
Hungary vs Denmark in Six-fours
Sweden vs Austria in Draguignan
Bulgaria vs Latvia  in Saint-Raphaël

Pool D - Sunday, 5 April

Israel vs Monaco in La Seyne
Luxembourg vs Côte d' Azur Selection in La Valette
Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Armenia in Hyères
Moldova vs Croatia in Draguignan

Semifinals

Tuesday 7 April: Pools B & C
Wednesday, 8 April: Pools A & D

Finals

Friday, 10 April: Pools B & C
Saturday, 11 April: Pools A & D

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