The draws for the 2013/14 UEFA U-19 Championship qualifying round were made yesterday in Nyon.

Malta have been drawn in Group 13 with Russia, Ukraine and Estonia.

The draw was conducted by UEFA Youth and Amateur Committee chairman Jim Boyce and the captain of last season’s England squad, Tom Thorpe, who received the Fair Play prize on his side’s behalf.

The top two teams in every group, along with the third-placed side with the best record against the leading pair, will follow top seeds Spain into the elite round to be played in spring 2014.

Seven teams will emerge from this round to join Hungary in the finals in summer of that year. The final will also act as the qualifying competition for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Commenting on the draws, Jesmond Abela, the operations manager of the MFA technical centre, said that Malta’s group is clearly a difficult one. He said that after lengthy negotiations Russia were chosen as hosts of the Group 13 matches, to be played next October.

Ukraine and Estonia also showed an interest in organising the mini-tournament.

The draw for the 2014 Under-17 qualifying round was also made yesterday.

Malta earn an automatic spot in the finals event in May 2014 as the MFA will host the tournament.

Meanwhile, the country will also organise a Futsal Euro 2014 qualifying group.

Yesterday, Malta were pitted in the same group with Moldova and Georgia. Matches will be played between January 22 and 27 at the Corradino Sports Pavilion.