UEFA Under-19 Championship Final Preview: France - Spain

The finale is upon us.

Jul 30, 2010 7:30:00 AM

By Subhankar Mondal

More On :  France, France Under 20, Spain, Spain Under 19
France U19 - Netherlands U 19 - Gael Kakuta
Kick-Off: Friday, July 30, 1:00 Eastern Time.
Michel-d'Ornano, Caen, France.

Comeback Win Injects More Confidence

France may not always have been as slick and classy as Spain in the Under-19 European Championships, but they have been hugely clinical up front. No fewer than 12 goals have been scored by les Bleuets in this competition and just three conceded.

One of those goals conceded by the hosts came against Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday. Francis Smerecki's side fell behind as early as the fourth minute when Arijan Ademi headed the Croats into the lead from a free-kick. However, the French came back strongly, scoring the equaliser through Gael Kakuta just before half-time and then found the winner in the 83rd minute through Cedric Bakambu.

After the match coach Smerecki told Uefa.com, "This was the first time in the tournament we've fallen behind and we saw the team show confidence and mental strength to get back into it. That's so important. The influence of the substitutes was really useful as well; we saw that with Alexandre Lacazette and Cedric Bakambu, who scored the decisive goal."

Winger Kakuta is hopeful that they can defeat Spain in the final on Friday and avenge themselves. The Chelsea youngster said, "Spain are not our old friends, they are our enemies. Two years ago they trashed us 4-0 (in the under-17 final), so it will be a good revenge for us.

"They take good care of the ball and are very patient. We will try to work on that. It will be a good match. After what they did to us two years ago, everybody is looking forward to it."

France last won the U19 title in 2005.




'Tiki-Taka' In Full Swing

Spain are the second highest scorers in the Under-19 European Championships after France with 10 goals, and along with the tournament's hosts have the best defensive record statistically, having conceded just three times in four matches. However, unlike their opponents in Sunday's final, the Iberian nation have won all their matches so far.

And what's more, la Rojita have actually been better than their opposition in all those games. The players' ball control has been excellent and just as the senior side did at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, the teenagers in Normandy controlled possession and starved their opposition of the football by passing it around with confidence, calm and composure. Against England in the semis, Luis Milla's side were by far the better side, winning 3-1 and scoring three brilliant goals.

Playmaker Sergio Canales scored a wonderful effort against England but like a mature player, the newly signed Real Madrid starlet says that they want more. The 19-year-old told Uefa.com, "We know that the final is going to be exceptionally difficult, but we just have to keep going the way we have until this point."

Liverpool's Daniel Pacheco, who is the tournament's top scorer with four goals and has been really impressive, added, "It's a giant stride to reach a final and we're continuing to get better."

Coach Luis Milla looks ahead to the finale against and remarks, "With regards to the final we realise it will be very tricky. When you get to this level you know your opponents are here on merit but we will prepare well as always."

France will have home advantage for the final but Spain will start as slight favourites.

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