Peixe plotting Portugal campaign

Having qualified unbeaten for their third UEFA European Under-19 Championship in four years, Portugal coach Emílio Peixe – a FIFA U-20 World Cup winner in 1991 – is now plotting the finals campaign. Hosts Lithuania, neighbours and holders Spain and the Netherlands will represent a stern challenge in Group A, yet Peixe believes the difficult start will motivate his players to reach at least the semi-finals.

UEFA.com: How do you see Portugal's chances?

Emílio Peixe: It will be tough and competitive. We are in a section with teams with lots of quality with a rich past in developing players, like Spain and Netherlands, and there is also the hosts Lithuania. But difficulties thrill and motivate us. It will be fantastic for the players to grow as athletes in a competitive environment of great difficulty.

UEFA.com: Can you describe your opponents?

Peixe: They are teams with an individual and collective quality way above average with technically evolved players, some of whom have great competitive experience in demanding contexts. But Portugal also have quality players and, most importantly, a great will to show our value and dignify our country.

UEFA.com: Last year Portugal didn't get out of the group; what is your goal for this tournament?

Peixe: The objective at the start of the season – to qualify for the finals – has been achieved. Now we want to go as far as we can. For now we want to reach the semi-finals. We are very motivated to achieve that, we have the capacity to do so, but we do not play alone. What's important is to prepare well and put our ideas and identity on the field of play.

UEFA.com: You won all three elite round games; how do you see your season to date?

Peixe: As a quality and competent campaign. We won five out of six matches and only drew with a great France team. Qualification was a high point of a long and hard four-year journey with a group of athletes I lead with great satisfaction.

UEFA.com: Three of your players - Bruma, João Cancelo and Bruno Varela – played in last year's finals. Will their experience be useful?

Peixe: Due to the nature of these tournaments the presence of these "veterans" only means the promotion of our best players; we always try to push on those who show the qualities to play for a higher age group. At youth level the competitive maturity of the players, their competence, fighting spirit and commitment to the collective objectives are as important as experience in big competitions. In that aspect Portugal will be very well represented.

UEFA.com: How do you asses your squad?

Peixe: They are very interesting bearing in mind modern football. They are competitive, aggressive in a positive way, technically evolved, and intelligent. Another important aspect is their behaviour is always adjusted to the environment of a national team. That was always a priority for us; to promote a sustained growth in the noblest values that a national team player must have.

UEFA.com: As a player you were a youth and senior international; how do you use that experience as a coach?

Peixe: Mostly I try to pass to them the pride they must feel every time they represent our country. The national-team environment is a place for the elite, for overcoming. Here you can only find the best each country have to offer and the players have to commit to our processes and give everything they've got in training and matches. My youth-team experience was very important in my transition to professional football. That's what I would like to see happen with these young players.