UEFA European Under-21 Championships draw announced

The draw for the eight nation final round of the UEFA European Under-21 Championships to be held next year in Israel was carried out today at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv.

The 2013 UEFA Under-21 Championships will be played from Wednesday, June 5, to Tuesday, June 18, at four venues across Israel in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Netanya and Petach Tikva.

The draw brought together the winners of the last four editions of the tournament. Holders Spain were drawn in Group B alongside 2009 winners Germany, and the team who claimed back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007, the Netherlands; while Russia are the fourth team in the tournaments group of death.

Meanwhile, in Group A, hosts Israel were drawn alongside England, Norway and Italy. The only country to have played in the last four finals, England will again take on Norway, whom they met in qualifying for the tournament. Israel are participating in their second finals and will meet the side that denied them a place in the 2009 edition, Italy.

Former Israeli internationals and tournament ambassadors Avi Nimni and Eli Ohana assisted with the draw, which was hosted by former Israel goalkeeper Bonni Ginzburg, and the official tournament ball was also unveiled at the ceremony.

2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championships – Group Stage

Group AIsrael, England, Norway, Italy

Group BSpain, Netherlands, Russia, Germany

Edited by Staff Editor