Rival captains ready for round two

There has been much water under the bridge since their paths last crossed in competitive action but for Gueïda Fofana and Keko, captains of France and Spain, the build-up to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final is coloured by the same shared history.

These teams contested the U17 final in Antalya two years ago, Spain triumphing 4-0 and Keko opening the scoring, and, though they met again as U18s in May 2009 – each winning 1-0 in a two-match friendly series – the memory of their Turkish summer remains a powerful spur for France as both skippers acknowledged. "They will be out to prove that what happened was a mistake," Keko said. "Our motivation is to show it wasn't their mistake but our good work, and that the result was the right one. Let's hope the outcome is the same."

Fofana also wore the armband in 2007 and the pain of that defeat is still evident. "We swallowed a bitter pill and we are resolved to beat them," the 19-year-old from Le Havre AC said. "We know this will be a difficult match. The teams know one another by heart and it will be a great game. After losing a final 4-0, we are very determined. We really want to win this one in front of our fans and relatives, and I sincerely hope it goes well for us."

A crowd in excess of 15,000 is expected at the Stade Michel-d'Ornano and Fofana – a powerful presence in Les Petits Bleus' midfield throughout the championship – believes that could make all the difference. "It is a great advantage," he said. "It will be fabulous. With the performances we have put in since the tournament began, the fans will be really rooting for us. It will be a plus and we will benefit from this."

Keko, meanwhile, pointed to team spirit, an overriding philosophy and freedom of expression as key factors in Spain's progress to the Caen final. "Spain's youth teams have always looked to play a certain way, believing that winning is important but not the most important thing; developing talent for the future is," explained the 18-year-old Club Atlético de Madrid winger. "The hope is, these players can go on to represent the senior side and compete at the highest level while playing good football. We are here as always with a lot of humility, despite the fact things are going well. We are full of hope and eager to get the game under way. We won't take anything for granted. That attitude has taken us this far."

Fofana also emphasised the unity and sacrifice in the France squad, although he accepts more will be required against opponents who have won all four matches in Basse-Normandie. "We have a good group, I've always said we get on very well," he said. "Obviously we don't exchange kisses every night, but we all know we want to be European champions and what it takes to get there; so we have to make personal concessions for the good of the team. These will be great memories but for the story to be a happy one, we need to win the final."