Saha strikes gold for Les Blues
Sunday 1 January 2006
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Having claimed the UEFA European Under-18 Championship title in 1996, France held on to it the next year to become the first nation to win the tournament on a third occasion.
Israel debut
Iceland were chosen as hosts for the first time, and while 1996 finalists France and Spain qualified, there were some less regular familiar names in the finals, with Switzerland winning through after a 13-year absence and Israel making their U18 finals debut having been trying since 1992.
Portugal top
Portugal had defeated England 4-2 on aggregate to qualify, and they took that form into the finals. They began Group A by winning 2-0 against Hungary, while the hosts held Spain 1-1. Iceland then lost 1-0 to Iceland, while Spain gave themselves hope by beating Hungary 2-1. However, Portugal won the all-Iberian group decider 2-0, while Iceland held third place with a 2-2 draw against Hungary.
France through
The Republic of Ireland gave France a tough Group B opener but Les Blues held on to win 3-2, and Switzerland put three past Israel without reply. Israel then lost 2-0 to France, while the Republic of Ireland defeated the Swiss 1-0. Switzerland could still salvage their campaign by beating France, but David Hellebuyck scored the only goal for the holders. Ireland drew 1-1 with Israel to go into the third-place match, though they lost there 2-1 to Spain.
Saha's golden goal
Ninety minutes could not split France and Portugal in the final in Reykjavik, and so the game went to golden goal extra time. Five minutes in Louis Saha found the target, and in an instant his nation were champions again.
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