The 12 teams were divided into four groups of three teams. Teams were awarded three points for a win and one for a draw. No points were awarded for a defeat. The top side in each group would advance to the semi-finals. If two or more teams were tied for a particular position, then the tie-breaking system would be as follows:[1]
Highest number of points obtained in all group matches;
The result in the eventual direct match between two tied teams;
Goal difference in all group matches;
Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
Each team's eighteen-man squad had to consist of players born after January 1, 1989. The squads must have been submitted no later than June 11, 2009. Each member of the winning team was awarded a gold medal. The runners-up all received a silver medal, and the third-placed team all received a bronze medal. Each member of each side placed 4th-8th in the competition received a diploma.[1]