2024 Under-19 EURO final preview: Spain vs France

Group B winners France and section runners-up Spain meet once more to decide the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship at 20:00 CET on Sunday 28 July at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast.

In a repeat of the 2010 final – when Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench to win the trophy for France – Spain are aiming to extend their winning record to nine titles, while France are going for their fourth.

What's the story?

Spain's undefeated run continued when Pol Fortuny's extra-time winner against Italy sealed their passage to the final, before an "extremely proud" Valentin Atangana headed France to victory in a tight semi-final against Ukraine.

The showpiece brings these teams together for a second time in Northern Ireland. They drew 2-2 in a topsy-turvy contest on Matchday 3, when both sides enjoyed spells in charge before a late equaliser secured Bernard Diomede's charges the Group B summit. Despite letting the section top spot slip through their fingers, Spain centre-back Wassim Keddari lauded his team's attitude: "We worked as a team, we competed as a team."

This will be France's fifth U19 EURO final. They have won on three previous occasions, while Spain are preparing for their tenth decider, having won eight times before – a tournament record.

The teams have been matched up in only one previous U19 EURO final. In 2010, a France side featuring Antoine Griezmann and winning goalscorer Lacazette beat Thiago Alcántara's Spain 2-1 on French soil in Caen.

"We know this Spain side well," said Diomede in the lead-up to the final. "A rematch against a team you've already played against in the group stage is always difficult."

His team – which includes ten players from France's 2022 U17 EURO-winning squad – have impressed throughout the tournament with their free-flowing transitions and attacking nous. José Lana's Spain, however, have demonstrated their organisation, unity and resilience. An intriguing tactical battle awaits in Belfast.

View from the camps

José Lana, Spain coach: "Against France in the group stage, we kept the ball more than in our other games, and we'll try to do that again in the final. We've shown we're able to adapt to different situations. In the semi-final, we were a little tired because of the [last group stage] game against France, but we were able to win. Every player is important in the match. I don't think there are any key zones [we need to focus on]."

Bernard Diomede, France coach: "We're expecting a different Spain team [from the group stage] and a different experience. It will be a different scenario, with different players at a different stage of the competition. For these players, reaching a final is an accomplishment, but winning a final is a real achievement. Every player wants to play, and our unity in the squad throughout the whole competition has been crucial. It's important that we maintain the freshness and unity we have. The team always sticks together."

Gerard Hernández, Spain captain: "The final is so important to us and we are very excited. I'm very proud to be the captain of this team and I will do everything I can for the team. We appreciate all the support we are receiving here in Northern Ireland: the supporters are our 12th player."

Valentin Atangana, France captain: "Winning the trophy for our country would make us very proud. Spain are a tough team. We drew 2-2 [in the group stage] and we're looking forward to having the opportunity to play them again. I think the key to winning this match will be in the way we move the ball and how we can attack."

When and where is the 2024 Under-19 EURO final?

UEFA via Sportsfile

The final will take place at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast, at 20:00 CET on Sunday 28 July.