Malta will face the Czech Republic, Belgium, Montenegro, Moldova and Latvia in Group One of the qualifying campaign for the 2015-17 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Qualifying for the tournament, to be staged in Poland, consists of seven groups of six nations and two of five. The number of finalists in the 2017 tournament has been expanded to 12.

Silvio Vella, the Malta U-21 coach, and team manager Jesmond Abela were present for the draw, held yesterday morning at UEFA’s Nyon headquarters.

Vella is preparing for his first full campaign at the helm of the U-21s after succeeding Ray Farrugia, now assistant to Malta coach Pietro Ghedin, last year.

The former U-19 mentor made his bow as Malta U-21 coach in the last game of the previous qualifying tournament which resulted in a 3-0 defeat to Turkey at the National Stadium in September. In November, Malta U-21 drew 0-0 with Azerbaijan in a friendly.

The dates set by UEFA for the U-21 qualifiers are: 2015 – March 23 and 31; June 8 and 16; August 31; September 8; October 5 and 13; November 9 and 17; 2016 – March 21 and 29; August 29; September 6; October 3 and 11.

Only one pool drawn out yesterday comprised two countries competing at this summer’s finals in the Czech Republic: Italy and Serbia, who also met in the 2004 final, the Azzurri winning 3-0 against what was then Serbia and Montenegro. Also in Group Two are Slovenia, Ireland, Lithuania and Andorra.

The draw

Group 1: Czech Republic, Belgium, Montenegro, Moldova, Latvia, Malta.
Group 2: Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Lithuania, Andorra.
Group 3: France, Ukraine, Scotland, Iceland, FYR Macedonia, Northern Ireland.
Group 4: Portugal, Israel, Greece, Hungary, Albania, Liechtenstein.
Group 5: Denmark, Romania, Armenia, Wales, Bulgaria, Luxembourg.
Group 6: Spain, Sweden, Croatia, Georgia, Estonia, San Marino.
Group 7: Germany, Russia, Austria, Finland, Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands.
Group 8: Netherlands, Slovakia, Turkey, Belarus, Cyprus.
Group 9: England, Switzerland, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan.

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