Portugal end long wait
Sunday 1 January 2006
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After winning the 1989 Under-16 final, Portugal had not progressed that far again in seven years. But in 1995 they claimed the trophy for the second time - and beat neighbours Spain in the final for good measure.
Czechs take chance
Holders Turkey but not runners-up Denmark made it through qualifying, and in their first season as separate nations, the nations that made up the old Czechoslovakia, a perennial U16 force, each made the Belgian-hosted finals without conceding or dropping a point. The Czech Republic kept up that form once in Belgium, beating Group A opponents Poland, Italy and Sweden. Sweden drew 1-1 with Italy then beat Poland 1-0 to take their semi-final place as Italy and Poland ended with a 0-0 result.
Hosts through
Belgium were in fine form in Group B, defeating France 4-1 then Norway 3-0 before clinching top spot with a goalless draw against Austria. France joined them in the last eight by beating Austria, and then, inspired by a Nicolas Anelka hat-trick, Norway 4-0. Spain cruised through Group C with wins against Germany, Turkey and Slovenia. Champions Turkey opened with a 2-0 victory against Slovenia but defeats by Spain then Germany allowed the latter side to advance at their expense. Portugal showed their intent by beating Slovakia with four second-half goals to open Group D, as England came from behind to draw 1-1 with Scotland. While Scotland were losing 3-1 to Portugal, England defeated Slovakia 2-1 with a late John Curtis winner. England then beat qualified Portugal 3-1 to win the group.
Portugal victory
In the second year of the quarter-final stage, three of the four group runners-up went though. Germany beat the Czechs 2-0, Portugal and France won 1-0 against Belgium and England respectively. Group C winners Spain overcame Sweden 1-0. An all-Iberian final was a possibility and became reality as Portugal defeated Germany 3-1 and Spain beat France 2-0. Germany triumphed 2-1 against France for bronze and a place in the FIFA U-17 World Championship. The final between Portugal and Spain was held at the Constant Vanden Stock stadium in Brussels with th trophy going to Portugal thanks to second-half goals from Zeferino Soares and Vitor Pereira, the reverse of Portugal's 1988 final defeat by Spain on penalties.
Last-eight run
At the World Championship in Ecuador, Germany and Spain fell in the group stage, while Portugal reached the quarter-finals, where they lost 2-0 to eventual winners Ghana.
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