Free-scoring Sánchez hails Spain's team effort

Andrea Sánchez may have scored two goals but the Spain forward was eager to praise the team effort that took her side into the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship final on Thursday night.

Sánchez opened the scoring in the 3-0 semi-final defeat of England with a lovely volleyed strike and added a late third but wanted to share the accolades with her colleagues. "We did a great job together," said the FC Barcelona player who is the tournament's joint-leading scorer alongside Germany's Jasmin Sehan but has her eyes on a different prize: "I want to be a champion of Europe."

As for England goalkeeper Kirstie Levell, her focus is now on earning a FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup place. "Everyone wants it so much," she said.

Andrea Sánchez, Spain forward
We were switched on right from the start, we knew what was at stake – we were playing to be in a European final, which means a lot. We were really up for it, mentally ready. We knew England were a tough team but we read the game well, coped well with the difficult moments, and came out on top.

We did a great job together – the defence did really well, we pressed them from the top, from the line of attack. There were some moments we were under pressure but we coped with England well from the defence to the attack and we're delighted with the team effort.

It's incredible – we came here wanting to get to the final and have managed to do it. The final will be nothing like the last game [when Spain beat Germany 4-0 in the group stage]. We won't be going out thinking we've already beaten them once. We have to go out and give everything, even a bit more than the last time.

I am happy to score, it always good for a player, but if it wasn't for the team I wouldn't have scored – it's a team effort. I'm not thinking about being top scorer – it'd be nice but I want to be a champion of Europe.

Núria Garrote, Spain defender
We’ve qualified for the World Cup so the team are delighted with the job done and to be in the final – for a 16-year-old girl to get to the final of a European Championship, you don't even dream about it. These things are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

We did the job we always do, keeping the ball, lots of passes. England's game was more direct and fast. It's enjoyable playing like we do. We always have the ball and having the ball means you don't have to run as much. As for the 4-0 win the other time, we have to put that behind us – each game is different and Germany will come out stronger this time. But we'll not go into it with any fear.

Kirstie Levell, England goalkeeper
The first half I thought we were on top. The second half started with us 1-0 down and the second goal was off a deflection we were unlucky with and then there was the corner [for the third] was a bit of a fluke.

There was disappointment with the defeat but the closeness of the team is excellent and we're just trying to build ourselves up for the Italy game. The first game against Italy I don't think we deserved the 1-0 defeat. We were so unlucky – the last six minutes and a deflected goal – so we're going to come back fighting. [A place at the FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup] is our end goal, we've been working towards this over a year now, with many camps – everyone wants it so much.