The tournament runs monday to friday in Dublin next week. The opponets are Ireland, England and Slovenia. With the English season essentially finished, they are at a definate advantage. The Swiss, Irish (who play in Ireland) and the Slovenians will have 5 games in 9 days. Four of the starters for Martin Trümpler team: Tranquillo Barnetta (St-Gallan), Stephan Lichtsteiner (GC), Christian Schwegler (Luzern) and Johan Vonlanthen (YB) are involved with their club teams. If the Swiss can qualify, it would be a great result. Plus the UEFA championships are next door in Vaduz, Switzerland would have a huge advantage.
Well, the youth is stepping up in Austria. Following the recent success of the U-17 team, Austria just qualified for the U-19 UEFA Championship for the first time in 21 years and second time ever with a 2-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro! Joining Austria so far are hosts Liechtenstein, Portugal, France, Italy, and Norway. Would be great if Switzerland could join Austria and Liechtenstein at the tournament!
Sorry Quaker, I forgot abou the Austria Qualfying group. I have been a little busy these past few weeks. That would be great if three of the eight teams were the alpine nations. I really do think that despite how good the Swiss U-19 team is, they have their work cut out for them. Lets hope!
Yes, it will be a real challenge for the Swiss to qualify--especially with England and home team Ireland in their group. I think England and Germany must be considered favorites to qualify from the remaining two groups.
Here are the schedules: Monday May 19 Switzerland v Slovenia - Belfield Park - Kick off 2:30 Republic of Ireland v England - Tolka Park - Kick off 7:30 Wednesday May 21 England v Slovenia - Dalymount Park - Kick off 2:30 Republic of Ireland v Switzerland - Richmond Park - Kick off 5:00 Friday May 22 Slovenia v Republic of Ireland - Tolka Park - Kick off 7:30 England v Switzerland - O2 Park - Kick off 7:30 All kick-off times are Ireland time. GMT
Here are the qualfying group results for the Swiss opponets: England: F.Y.R. Macedonia- England 0 - 3 Moldova- England 0 - 9 England- Romania 4 - 0 Ouch! Slovenia: Slovenia- Scotland 1 - 2 Iceland- Slovenia 1 - 2 Yugoslavia- Slovenia 1 - 4 Switzerland needs to get a win against Sloveina if they have any hope of qualfying.
Here is the English Team: England Under 19 Squad England Under 19 Squad Luke Steele GK Manchester United Lee Camp GK Derby County Justin Hoyte D Arsenal Pablo Mills D Derby County Dean Leacock D Fulham Andrew Davies D Middlesbrough Liam Ridgewell D Aston Villa Peter Whittingham D Aston Villa Marcel McKie D Tottenham Hotspur Ciaran Donnelly M Blackburn Rovers John Welsh M Arsenal Steven Schumacher M Everton Kieran Richardson M Manchester United Lee Croft M Manchester City Wayne Routledge F Crystal Palace Stuart Downing F Middlesbrough Eddie Johnson F Manchester United Tommy Wright F Leicester City That is a pretty good team!
Stephan Lichtsteiner (19) will not play for the Swiss team in the UEFA qualfying tournament this week. GCZ asked that he be excused so that they could prepare for the FCZ match on wednesday. I am not too sure I like this. Is this saying that the Swiss don't have a lot of hope this week in Ireland? Where does this put the team who will have to play suddenly without one of the better defenders in LNA? Where does this put the club-country debate in Switzerland? It is a UEFA qualfying match not a friendly! This is Important !
Switzerland vs Slovenia 1-2. Victory for Slovenia. To qualify Switzerland must beat England and Ireland, a very tall order. They must also hope that Slovenia ends up with 5 points or less, 6 would give them the tiebreaker over Switzerland, I think. Unless it is a goal differeiental, then Switzerland has to beat either of the Island teams by a bunch.
Not good. What is wrong with our youth teams this year? Maybe we're getting the bad luck the Austrian youth squads seem to have shed.
On Monday Ireland-England 0-1 Today: Slovenia-England 0-3 I am not sure that the Swiss can qualify now. England has 6 points, and if the Swiss win their next two games they will have 6. I am not sure if head-to-head or goal differeintal is the tie-breaker. I would assume goal differeintal, therefore the Swiss are in a big hole already: England +4 Switzerland-1 Switzerland must win but about 3 goals. That would necessitate a 3 goal victory over England to qualify. I think that it will be rather difficult.
Ireland 3-2 Switzerland. Now I think England have won the group: England - 6 Ireland - 3 Slovenia - 3 Switzerland - 0.