This weekend, the first phase of the U19 challenge ended at the end of the 10th and final day. We now know the distribution of teams between the "Elite" level and the "Excellence" level. Indeed, the twelve teams who finished first and second places in their respective groups enter the challenge "Elite" while the other 24 teams are donated in the category "Excellence".

Among the twelve teams present to compete in the elite challenge, the two finalists of the last edition, PSG and Olympique Lyonnais. Paris, the only team to have won all of its matches in the first phase, while three other teams finished undefeated in this first phase: Guingamp, Arras and Marseille.

Montpellier, the great absentee
OM who managed this performance in a particularly strong group with Saint-Étienne and Montpellier. The Hérault team, who will perhaps be the big absentee of this 2016/2017 edition, finished in third place in Group D, behind OM and Saint-Étienne. Montpellier, which until now was one of the best U19 teams, with three consecutive titles won between 2010 and 2013.

Others absent in this elite challenge, ASJ Soyaux, a team that was present in the group "Elite" last season, but this season finished in third place in group E behind Toulouse and Rodez. A group in which were present two other formations whose senior team evolves in D1, Albi and Bordeaux. Vendenheim is the third team out after participating in the challenge "Elite" last season.

Among the newcomers, besides Toulouse, note the presence of FC Metz who finished ahead of Vendenheim in Group B. FC Metz who joined the best teams U19 after winning the challenge "Excellence" last season. There is also LOSC among the twelve, confirming the rise of the Lille project.

Resumed on January 22
The U19 challenge matches will resume the weekend of January 22nd. For the "Elite" challenge, the twelve teams will be divided into two groups (A and B) of six. At the end of this second phase where the teams will meet each time twice (ten matches in total), with a first leg and then return, the teams finishing first of each group will meet in the final.

As for the Excellence challenge, the teams will be divided into four groups of six and will also meet in the form of a mini-league with home and away matches. The teams leading each group will then meet in the semi-finals before a final between the two winning teams.

Qualified teams for the "Elite" challenge: Arras, Lille, Paris SG, Metz, Lyon, Juvisy, Marseille, Saint-Etienne, Toulouse, Rodez, Guingamp, La-Roche-sur-Yon

Teams awarded for the "Excellence" challenge: Rouen, Caen, Issy, Val d'Orge, Vendenheim, Nancy, Reims, Saint-Maur, Dijon, Yzeure, Clermont, Nivolas-Vermelle, Montpellier, Grenoble, Nîmes, Aurillac-Arpajon , Soyaux, Bordeaux, Albi, Arlac Merignac, Angers, Le Mans, Brest, Lorient.