Coaches celebrate Under-17 classic

FRANCE 3-3 SPAIN
Francis Smerecki, France coach
We have witnessed a very, very good game for an Under-17 tournament. I am very satisfied. In this game, we always kept up with our opponents. We scored goals but Spain responded very rapidly each time. Of course, I am not happy about conceding three goals. Five out of six goals came from dead-balls, that is a proof of a high-quality game. The goals were just like we see in UEFA Champions League games. Maybe our goals woke up Spain. After our goals, they thought that they have to score for an equaliser, that's why we saw so many goals.

Juan Santisteban, Spain coach
It was really a tough game, you could not believe how hard it was. At various times in the game, our mistakes created chances for them, whereas their errors made us lucky. It was an unbelievable game technically, and in my opinion, taking a draw is not a bad score against a team like France. No doubt, it is a match which will never be forgotten. As you see, the result of the game is 3-3, that shows how outstanding a game we experienced. For this age level, it was a top-class game. Of course, we are learning important points from each game. Today, we learned how to react after conceding a goal. We didn't lose our motivation.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 0-1 SWITZERLAND
Sean McCaffrey, Ireland manager
I am disappointed for the boys who have put in an awful lot of effort, it's been a great season in lots of ways but if this team lacks anything it is a natural goalscorer. Gearoid Morrissey going off [injured on nine minutes] was another chapter in what's happened all week. Having said that, I thought we recovered from the loss well, Paul Murphy played very well when he came in, and as the game wore on we were getting better. I honestly thought before they scored that we would. It was an even game, Switzerland were very well-organised. It could have gone either way but they got a wee break on the goal, it was a good free-kick, he delivered a great ball in, we didn't deal with it and it was put away.

Yves Débonnaire, Switzerland coach
We showed great spirit today. We were ready for the game, were good on the ball. OK, in the last ten minutes it was another story, the players were a little afraid, but thay is normal – and three points, that's very good. We saw Sunday's game on DVD, and I thought I was too aggressive with my players. The spirit after half-time against Spain was better than I thought. Today, the spirit lasted for the 80 minutes, the 84 minutes even. Yes we were critical of the players, and they understood, which is good.