Malta U-19 and U-17 teams face 2011 trips to Austria and Montenegro

Malta’s U-19 and U-17 teams will be involved in UEFA tournaments in Austria and Montenegro respectively in October next year after the draw for the 2011/2012 qualifying rounds was made yesterday at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.

The U-19 team, coached by Michael Molzahn, will face Austria, Denmark and Albania in Group 12. The group matches will be played in Austria between October 5 and 10, 2011.

The Maltese youngsters conceded three defeats in as many matches in their last UEFA U-19 qualifying tournament, played in Slovenia in October. Netherlands topped the group with nine points, three ahead of second-placed Slovakia. Slovenia finished with three points.

France are the reigning U-19 European champions while England hold the U-17 title.

Malta’s U-17 side, currently under the guidance of Vince Carbonaro, were also handed a tough draw as their group contains Spain, Poland and Montenegro. The Group 11 matches will take place in Montenegro from October 19-24.

At the last UEFA U-17 qualifying tournament, played at the Centenary Stadium, Malta finished bottom of the four-team group, level on one point with Albania. The group was won by Norway with Ireland taking the runner-up spot.

Ivan Vella, the national teams’ manager, represented the Malta FA at yesterday’s draw. In Nyon, Vella met former Malta coach Dusan Fitzel who attended the draw in his capacity as technical director of the Czech FA.

Vella and Fitzel worked closely together during the latter’s four-year reign at the helm of the national team.