Hungry Spain budding with promise

Despite finishing second best to the Netherlands in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 4, Spain earned the chance to challenge for their third title at this level after coming through a play-off against Croatia. An enforced coaching change midway through the campaign and the commitment of FIFA World Cup winners Juan Mata and Javi Martínez served La Roja well as they reached their second successive U21 finals.

Already in his fourth campaign with Valencia CF, winger Mata shared the U21 captaincy role with Athletic Club's Martínez, both providing important experience and leadership. The emergence of Club Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea and defender Álvaro Domínguez offered defensive solidity, while Sevilla FC's Diego Capel offered a goal threat from his wide midfield berth. Despite scoring just once in qualification, FC Barcelona's Bojan Krkić brought vast experience to the front line, with Real Madrid CF's Sergio Canales blossoming behind the striker.

Under Juan Ramon López Caro, Spain enjoyed a bright start to qualification as Joselú and Daniel Parejo earned a 2-0 home triumph against Poland. Victories against Liechtenstein and Finland followed to set up a crucial meeting with the Netherlands, who also went into the encounter in Rotterdam with a perfect record.

The visitors ultimately came up short in what proved their penultimate match under López Caro, succumbing 2-1 with future Olympique de Marseille defender César Azpilicueta hitting their consolation effort. That outcome invariably handed their rivals control of the group and Spain were made to wait before sealing a 3-1 success against Liechtenstein in their next outing.

Having lost out on the 2010 UEFA European U19 Championship title to hosts France, Luis Milla was then promoted to lead Spain's U21 push and he kicked off with a 1-1 draw in Finland, Krkić netting from the spot to earn a draw after the home side had taken an early lead.

Knowing two positive results from their final group games against the Netherlands and Poland were essential to reach the play-offs as one of the best runners-up, Milla's men duly obliged with Canales, promoted from the U19s, and pacy winger Capel responsible for the goals in back-to-back triumphs.

Confidence now high, Spain took a slender 2-1 home lead in their play-off against Croatia, Adrián and Mikel San José on target. In the return match in Varazdin three days later, the 1986 and 1998 winners posted a highly impressive performance and sealed a 3-0 success in which defender Álvaro Domínguez, Adrián and promising Barcelona forward Jeffren all found the net.