Swans duo secure Euros qualification with Wales Under-17s

27th October
Academy
Jacob Cook and Ewan Griffiths

Swansea City academy duo Jacob Cook and Ewan Griffiths have secured a spot in the Elite round of the Uefa Under-17 European Championship with Wales Under-17s, as the young Welsh side topped their group.

The duo, who regularly feature for Swansea City Under-18s, were called up to Craig Knight's squad following their training camp in France at Clairefontaine in September. 

Wales were in Group 7 alongside Croatia, Sweden, and Albania.

The qualifying round began on October 20 where the young side faced Croatia at Stadion Veli Jože, winning their opening game 2-0. Griffiths and Cook started on the bench with 15-year-old Cook coming as a substitute eight minutes from time.

Griffiths and Cook were to be in the starting line-up for the following fixture against Sweden. It was advantage Sweden going into the break, but Luey Giles scored in the final seconds to secure the share of the spoils. 

In their final game against Albania, a goalless draw was more than enough to secure qualification for the competition, with Jacob Cook featuring for the final quarter of the game. 

The Uefa European Under-17 Championship elite round draw will split 32 teams into eight groups of four. They will compete in March for 15 spots alongside hosts Hungary in the finals, to be held from 17 May to 2 June. 

The eight elite round group winners and seven runners-up with the best records will join Hungary in the final tournament.

The Elite Round draw will take place on Thursday, December 8 2022.