Hosts Spain the team to beat

By Andy Hall

Following two consecutive UEFA European Under-17 Championship final defeats, Spain are aiming to go one better as they begin their 2004/05 campaign on home turf in Mallorca against Denmark, Switzerland and Poland as Elite round Group 1 starts on Tuesday.

Haunted by hosts
In 2003, Spain were defeated 2-0 by tournament hosts Portugal in the decider and last year they suffered a similar fate in France. Having conceded a goal after just eleven seconds, Spain levelled midway through the second half thanks to Manchester United FC's Gerard Piqué; only for Samir Nasri to hit a last-gasp winner.

Long reign
Juan Santisteban has been in charge of Spain's youth sides since taking over as U16 coach more than 15 years ago, masterminding three European Championship victories at that level. However, the veteran coach is yet to lift the trophy since this tournament became an U17 competition in 2001/02.

Proud record
Santisteban, whose team were excused the qualifying round as seeds, has never failed to reach a final tournament at U17 or U16 level and has not even lost a qualification match since 1993. He welcomes back Sevilla FC striker Diego Capel from last year's squad and he could partner 15-year-old RCD Mallorca prospect Emilio Nsue, who has impressed at U16 level and now has the chance to do so on his home island, as another new crop emerges to replace the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Javi García and Carlos Carmona from last year's side.

Denmark opener
Spain start their campaign against in Palma against Denmark, who pipped Sweden on head-to-head record to qualify, having missed out on the U17 finals for the first time last season. Hans Brun Larsen's played two friendlies against Greece earlier this month, winning 1-0 but then losing by the same scoreline.

'Fitness problems'
Brun Larsen admits he has identified a possible weakness, saying: "We had fitness problems, particularly in the second match, and I hope we get them solved." Players to watch include Odense BK midfield player Matti Lund Nielsen and Lyngby FC defender Rasmus Steenberg Christiansen, as well as Brøndby IF's Nicolaj Moesgaard Agger, who scored against Greece.

Basel pair
Switzerland, who won the first U17 tournament in 2001/02 but have not made the finals since, topped a group involving the talented Northern Irish, Slovakia and Liechtenstein in the qualifying round, FC Basel 1893 pair Beqim Halimi and Ivan Rakitic scoring nine goals between them.

'Tough matches'
As they prepare to start against Poland in Inca, coach Yves Débonnaire is looking forward to the game. "It is a great mini-tournament with three tough matches," he said. "But it will be a particular pleasure to play Spain in Spain. They traditionally are one of the top three sides at this age group and it will be a great test for us."

Concentration lapses
Débonnaire admits that his side can occasionally lose concentration, saying: "That's when we could be in danger. What is most important is what my players do and what progress they make. And if we have a chance of qualifying, we'll seize it."

Polish reprieve
Poland, meanwhile, were pipped by Romania and Bulgaria on head-to-head record in a three-way tie in qualifying round Group 1, but a month after their games ended were reprieved as the best third-placed team when the opening stage ended. The 1992/93 U16 champions last reached the U17 finals three seasons ago. They are still coached by the man that led that triumph 12 years previously, Andrzej Zamilski, but results this term have been mixed.

Additional reporting by Peter Bruun and Marco Keller