Solid start crucial for Group A coaches

Ahead of the opening round of matches at the 9th UEFA European Under-19 Championship, the coaches of the four teams that will contest Group A were united in emphasising the importance of a positive start.

The top two go into the semi-finals and the third side also qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Francis Smerecki, coach of hosts France, said: "We're all aware it's the last European youth event and like every team, we'll do everything to qualify for the World Cup," Smerecki said. "The chance we have to is play at home; the only unknown is the preparations. Maybe at this time of year there will be some differences between the teams."

Smerecki led much of his current squad to the European U17 Championship final two years ago, and they open their campaign in Caen against the Netherlands, who defeated France 4-2 in a Werkendam friendly last October. "There are no longer any secrets about opponents, with the information we get," the France coach pointed out. "On the pitch is where you win. The Netherlands are a very good side, but we also have assets to upset them. There might be extra stress from being at home, but playing before the eyes of the French fans will motivate the squad."

Having guided the Netherlands to these finals for the first time, Wim van Zwam is determined for his players to make the most of the experience, saying: "This is a big chance for young talented players to develop themselves, to show themselves to the world. For every coach it would be beautiful to win, that's the goal we're aiming for. It all starts with the first match against France, and that will be difficult because they want the same thing we do." He is without suspended defender Ricardo van Rhijn.

England manager Noel Blake was part of the coaching staff when they reached the final in Ukraine a year ago, and is keen to build on that experience – starting against Austria in Flers. "You can't look too far ahead; play the first game, see where that leaves you and take it from there," he told UEFA.com. "If you win, great, but the most important thing is to get the performances right and things tend to follow from there. We've looked at Austria; very impressed with them. I like the manner in which they play the game and the character within the group; we're looking forward to it but it'll be a very difficult game. They'll be dangerous but we've got players who can cause them problems as well."

Andreas Heraf's Austria side eliminated Switerzland, Serbia and Denmark to qualify for the first time since hosting the 2007 finals and the coach acknowledged simply reaching France is a sizeable achievement. "It's an extraordinary thing for Austria to be in a tournament like this," Heraf said. "England are the big favourites in this game and maybe for the whole tournament, so we will try to fight against that. They are physically extremely strong but they can play football too. We have nothing to lose; we're looking at the semi-finals, which would be an incredible surprise for everyone, but at least we want to finish third in the group." Midfielder Raphael Holzhauser has a one-game ban.