Holders Italy set for tough defence

Five-time winners Italy will begin their defence of the UEFA U-21 Championship title against Denmark, Netherlands and Ukraine in the final tournament after the draw was made in Porto yesterday.

The Italians have triumphed in five of the last seven championships and defeated Serbia 3-0 in the final in Bochum in 2004. Claudio Gentile's side will face a stern task if they are to collect the trophy for a sixth time, however, having been placed in Group B at the draw, which was conducted by Portuguese legend Eusebio.

Hosts Portugal came third in 2004 and will be eager to build on that this time round. The Portuguese won all ten qualifying group games before defeating Switzerland in the play-offs, and now face France, Germany and Serbia and Montenegro in a competitive-looking Group A.

The action gets underway on May 23 with all eight teams playing three group games against the other sides in their respective sections.

The top two in each group progress to the semi-finals on June 1.

The final will be played at the Estadio do Bessa, home of Boavista FC, on June 4.

Group A:
Portugal, France, Serbia, Germany.

Group B:
Italy, Denmark, Ukraine, Netherlands.