Abrams plans bear fruit

In 2003, Belgian youth coach Eric Abrams took on a group of 14-year-olds under a new system whereby he was to nurture them over a period of three seasons. Since that generation has become the first Belgium team to qualify for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, the experiment could be said to have been a success.

Long-term goal
"Our goal since starting with the U15s was qualifying for the 2006 U17 tournament," Abrams told uefa.com. "I told my boys it is a real honour that, from the 52 nations, we are among the final eight. But this group now have so much ambition and motivation to do more than just make up the numbers. Our goal is finishing in the top two of our group to reach the next stage, and then in a tournament like this anything can happen."

Formidable unit
Having drilled his side from the start into a 4-3-3 formation, they proved in topping an Elite round group containing Poland, Switzerland and Slovakia to be a formidable unit. Abrams said: "In those two and a half years we have grown together into a mentally strong collective, and have often fought back after going behind. A ten-player core has been together from the start, and we rely on a very strong central axis. We have never adjusted our playing style and will not change formation because of our opponents, although within the system some duties can change."

Balanced group
Their campaign in Luxembourg begins on 3 May against Germany, before they face fellow Group B contenders Serbia and Montenegro and the Czech Republic. "We might have wished to be in a group with Luxembourg, but this draw is pretty balanced, every team can take points from the other," Abrams said. "We played Serbia and Montenegro last year and won 4-0, but they were certainly not a bad team and they deserve to be at the final tournament. We drew against the Czechs a month ago in La Manga, and they left a very strong impression on me - especially physically as they have a lot of power. The only unknowns for us are Germany, although that will soon change. We know they qualified in the Netherlands and we will soon get tapes of their matches there."

Spanish tipped
The hosts, Spain, Russia and Hungary make up the other pool. "With all respect to the host nation, the real favourites are Spain," Abrams said. "They are very strong again, seeing the way they won their group. We met Russia last year in a Kiev tournament and the fact they left Italy and England behind proves they have quality. We played Hungary last August in Austria. We just lost that match but we were not as strong as we are now. They reminded me of the old Hungary with a lot of technical skills and a few beautiful players to watch."

Tournament hosts
Whatever happens, Belgium will be in the finals again next year as hosts. Preparations are already under way. "While leading this group, I am also assisting the U16s," Abrams said. "Just last week I told those boys how we have worked towards the Luxembourg tournament, and what our ambitions are. I told them we would try to make sure that they will be title-holders next season! It would generate publicity and word-of-mouth advertising so it is a beautiful thing that we can already warm things up a bit."