Moment of truth for Spain

Spain will look to make history on Saturday when they face Brazil in the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Helsinki. It will be an historic occasion all round, with the match also being the first ever major international final to be played on artificial turf.

Missing trophy
The championship is virtually the only major youth trophy the Spanish have never won - the closest they have come was in 1991 when they fell to Ghana in the final. Those who concern themselves with historical omens will doubtless have noted that on that occasion, as this time around, the Spanish overcame Argentina in the last four to claim their place in the final.

Talented and exciting
Juan Santisteban's 2003 side are arguably more talented and exciting than their 1991 counterparts. En route to the final they have mixed some intoxicating attacking play with some naive defending, but their matches have always been compulsive viewing. The tournament began somewhat uncertainly with a 3-3 draw against Sierra Leone, in which a point was only rescued courtesy of a stoppage-time equaliser from Xisco.

Quickfire hat-trick
Trailing 2-0 in the second half of their next game against the Korean Republic, it took a hat-trick from Silva to engineer a 3-2 win. Since then, Spain have moved up several gears, beating the fancied United States, Freddie Adu et al, 2-0, European champions Portugal 5-2 and the Argentinians, thrillingly, 3-2 with a Cesc golden goal in the semi-finals.

'Spirit and courage'
"This triumph was made possible by the spirit and courage of the players," coach Santisteban said after that victory. "But you do not just get to the final of a World Cup on that alone. My players have plenty of quality."

Fight against fatigue
Turning his attention to his players, he added: "At this stage of the competition we're not going to learn anything new about Brazil. They are almost the best in the world in all departments. But we will fight to overcome them despite injuries and the fatigue from playing extra time."

Llorente out
The injuries Santisteban referred to have claimed one definite victim in Club Atlético de Madrid defender Raúl Llorente who will miss the final because of an injury to his right knee.

Forbidding opponents
Brazil are certainly forbidding opponents. They beat Colombia 2-0 in their semi-final thanks to two goals from Evandro Abuda. He is without doubt their biggest threat, although Ederson and Arouca, who both love to get forward, and Jonathan, the engine of the side, have also impresssed.

Brazil favourites
Brazil have won this championship twice before and started the tournament as favourites. There is no reason to change that assessment now, expecially after Carlos Paqueta's side cruised through Group C, the toughest first-round section, unbeaten and overcame the US 3-0 in the last eight.

Spanish hope
That said, the Argentinians had not conceded a goal before they faced the Spanish - yet it could not save them from defeat. It could be quite some final.