Fuente : UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

UEFA European U-21 C'ship: Duo seek qualifying boost

/noticias.info/ Germany and Russia will be looking to consolidate strong positions when the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying tournament resumes.

Top two qualify
The top two from each of the eight groups will enter November's two-legged deciders for the eight places in next summer's final tournament, and Germany and Russia lie second in their sections. Victory against Poland and Latvia respectively will see them take a firm hold on a qualifying berth.

Hanke hopes
Germany remain unbeaten in Group 6, three points behind leaders England with a game in hand, and two ahead of opponents Poland. Success in Gdynia would therefore represent a step towards qualification and coach Dieter Eilts is looking to VfL Wolfsburg striker Mike Hanke to propel the side to three points.

Attack-minded Poles
"I'm sure Hanke will cause the Polish defence a problem because they are better going forward than defending," said Eilts. The 21-year-old appeared at this summer's FIFA Confederations Cup and heads an impressive cast of experienced players. Indeed, only two - Bayer 04 Leverkusen goalkeeper René Adler and SpVgg Greuther Fürth midfielder Roberto Hilbert – are yet to feature in the Bundesliga.

Riga test
That could prove too much for Poland who, realistically, must better the 1-1 draw between the teams in November to keep their hopes alive. Latvia surprisingly held Russia to the same scoreline in June and a similar result in the return match in Riga would be a blow to coach Andrei Tchernychov's Group 3 ambitions.

Key absentees
His Russia side sit second, just a point ahead of Slovakia, and they approach the important encounter without several key players, including FC Lokomotiv Moskva midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. Latvia counterpart Juris Ševljakovs has no such problems, his squad having received a clean bill of health as they seek to close within two points of their opponents.

Slim pickings
F.Y.R. Macedonia harbour slim hopes of participating in the U21 finals and a win against Group 1's basement team Finland in Strumica would move them to within three points of a qualification berth. Meanwhile, in Group 2, Kazakhstan and Georgia play for pride in Almaty, with the home side wanting to build on their brilliant victory against Turkey in their last outing in June.

Friendly fixtures
There are also several friendly fixtures, with the meeting of France and Italy in Libourne arguably the pick. The Low Countries derby between Belgium and Netherlands could edge it for excitement though, while Group 2 leaders Denmark take on Group 6 frontrunners England in Herning. notas_de_prensa_archivo