Badia confident of final progress

With the memories of a heavy defeat to Turkey already behind them, Spain goalkeeper Edgar Badia says the focus has now switched to their semi-final against what he described as a "positive" Republic of Ireland team.

The winners of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship on four occasions, La Rojita started this year's finals in confident mood, scoring eight goals in victories against Belgium and Serbia. Already assured of a place in the last four as Group B winners prior to their meeting with Turkey, a 3-0 defeat was nonetheless a painful shock for Ginés Meléndez's side. "In the last match we didn't get into the game and the result wasn't such a big surprise," Badia – who sat out the Turkey loss – told UEFA.com. "We knew Turkey had good players and a good team while we didn't get into the rhythm of the match. We were a little bit unlucky in conceding two own goals but we're not worried about that result now."

Pointing to the team's solid possession football as their main strength, Badia nonetheless believes there is room for improvement in Spain's game. "In the first two matches we played well but we weren't perfect," the RCD Espanyol goalkeeper said. "We managed eight goals in the first two matches but we could have had more, maybe ten or 12. We have to take advantage of all of our opportunities, while we can also get better defensively."

Badia appeared at both the European U17 Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009 and believes that the experience he has gained at underage level is bearing fruit at this summer's Under-19 event. "Experience is always important, even at this level," he said. "It allows you to evaluate where you are at a certain time in a game and what to do depending on the scoreline. Personally I had a good tournament at the European U17s. We drew our three group games 0-0, which unfortunately wasn't enough and we were eliminated. At the World Cup in Nigeria we did much better and won the bronze medal. They are good memories."

A goalkeeper who plays "in the same style as my hero Iker Casillas," the Barcelona-born Badia is backing Spain to reach the final at the expense of Ireland should his team play to their strengths on Friday. "Ginés [Meléndez] told us that if we play as we know how we will get through," he explained. "We know Ireland are a good team and a lot of their players are at clubs in England. The mentality of the side is very positive; they are winners. We are going to concentrate on playing well and should we do that I am sure we will get to the final."