Spain team guide

The only side at last year's UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship to qualify this time around, Spain will be keen to keep up the momentum in Turkey this summer.

They were irresistible in qualifying, claiming big wins against Switzerland and Italy – both semi-finalists last season – as a rich crop of players that won the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship in 2010 and 2011 effortlessly made the step up.

Alexia Putellas and Amanda Sampedro are among players seeking a rare double, both exponents of the Spanish style of "playing in our opponents' half while moving the ball about quickly" according to Ángel Vilda. The coach is confident there will be no repeat of last summer's disappointment: "We hope to live up to our potential this time."

Spain are no strangers to success at this level having instigated possibly the biggest shock in the competition's history in 2004. Despite a 7-0 defeat by Germany, Ignacio Quereda's side advanced to the final where they met the overwhelming favourites again, this time winning 2-1.

Route to finals
First qualifying round: 9-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 8-0 Moldova, 3-0 Switzerland (Group 10 winners)
Second qualifying round: 4-0 Italy, 4-0 Russia, 3-2 Scotland (Group 5 winners)
Top scorer: Amanda Sampedro (6)

Key players
Dolores Gallardo (goalkeeper, Sporting Club de Huelva), Alexia Putellas (midfielder, Levante UD), Amanda Sampedro (midfielder, CDE Atlético de Madrid Féminas)

Coach: Ángel Vilda
Date of Birth: 15/09/1948
Playing career:Club Atlético de Madrid (youth), Real Sociedad Deportiva Alcalá, Real Ávila, Unión Balompédica Conquense
Coaching career: Real Ávila, AD Torrejón CF, CD Toledo, Club Atlético de Madrid (physical trainer), FC Barcelona (physical trainer), Rayo Vallecano (physical trainer), Real Madrid CF (physical trainer), Athletic Club (physical trainer), SL Benfica (physical trainer), CD Leganes (physical trainer), Spain women's U17, Spain women's U19

Although his playing days were hindered by constant muscular injuries, Vilda went on to gain a degree in physical education before embarking on a highly successful coaching career. Having worked at Barcelona − with whom he won the 1992 European Champion Clubs' Cup under Johan Cruyff − and Atlético, he also tasted European glory with Madrid in 1998.

Vilda was credited with introducing a more dialogue-based methodology into Spanish football fitness regimes during his time with Luis Aragonés at Atlético. "The day of treating players with the whip is over," he once noted. "Talking with the players is fundamental; forcing them to do things for the sake of it isn't feasible." Vilda has been working with Spain's female youth teams since 2005.

UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship best
Winners: 2004

Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship
Winners: 2010, 2011