Russia's chance to complete youth double

Russia can become the first side to add the UEFA European Under-19 Championship to their trophy cabinet two years after winning the U17 title when they take on Spain in Sunday's final.

European U17 champions in Slovakia two years ago, Dmitri Khomukha's team defeated hosts Greece in the semi-finals to become only the second U17 winners to reach the final of the U19 event with the same generation of players. Spain were the first; U17 champions in 2008, they progressed to the 2010 U19 decider but fell short against hosts France.

Only two other U17 winners have advanced to the U19 semi-finals two years later. Inaugural U17 champions Switzerland were beaten by Turkey as hosts in the 2004 last four, while England succumbed to Greece in the 2012 semi-finals having lifted the U17 crown in 2010. Two other U17 champions – Spain and the Netherlands – contested the U19 final tournament two years later, both falling in the group stage.

Nor was the double achieved when these competitions were U16 and U18 events between 1982 and 2002. Poland were U18 champions in 2001 two years after being U16 runners-up while, as an individual feat, Fernando Torres helped Spain land the 2001 U16 and 2002 U19 crowns. East Germany won the 1986 U18 tournament two years after West Germany secured the more junior prize. In all, Russia are the 30th team to attempt the double.

U17 champions at UEFA European U19 Championship level
2012/13 Russia – U19 final 2015 (to be played)
2011/12 Netherlands – U19 qualifying round 2014
2010/11 Netherlands – U19 group stage 2013
2009/10 England – U19 semi-finals 2012
2008/09 Germany – U19 elite round 2011
2007/08 Spain – U19 runners-up 2010
2006/07 Spain – U19 group stage 2009
2005/06 Russia – U19 elite round 2008
2004/05 Turkey – U19 elite round 2007
2003/04 France – U19 elite round 2006
2002/03 Portugal – U19 elite round 2005
2001/02 Switzerland – U19 semi-finals 2004