The last 16 teams remaining in the competition play off to determine the elite eight that will go forward to the final phase next year. Title holders Italy, drew 1-1 in Hungary, which should have evened the path for Wednesday’s home leg. Germany look to have done enough in the Czech Republic, running out 2-0 winners. The Ukraine were another to lose at home, going down 2-3 to Belgium, for whom Van den Bergh scored a hat-trick, as were neighbours Russia, beaten 1-0 by Denmark. Ambrose cancelled out a 46th minute Le Tallec strike in England’s 1-1 draw with France, but Wednesday’s trip across the Channel will no doubt have been daunting – France currently have the best crop of youngsters in Europe. On Sunday Portugal travelled to Switzerland, coming away with a 1-1 draw, and Slovenia also shared a goalless draw with Holland.
