by Simon Daish
One of the big headlines of the Junior Boys’ Team draw came from Group C after it was confirmed that last year’s gold and silver medallists Germany and Russia would meet with Hungary and the Czech Republic also being placed in the group.
Hosts Romania will contest Group A alongside Poland, the Slovak Republic and Turkey while France have been handed Group B fixtures against Greece, Belgium and Croatia. Group D consists of Italy, Sweden, Spain and Slovenia.
Finishing on the Junior Girls’ Team podium last time out, Serbia has been placed at the top of Group B in Cluj-Napoca and will face challenges from Croatia, the Slovak Republic and Turkey with current title holders Russia drawing the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan and Norway in Group A.
Belarus will have to negotiate opposition from Poland, Slovenia and Belgium if they hope to progress to the second round of play and 2017 runners up Romania have the difficult task of competing against France, Germany and Spain.
