Fitting final for Tuscan festival

By Paul Saffer in Tirrenia

They may not be traditional forces at this level, but when Turkey and the Netherlands step out for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final, there will be no doubt they have earned their places in Pontedera.

Turkish success
Turkey, aiming to emulate their nation's success at the 1992 U18 and 1994 U16 championships and looking to go one better than last year's U19 crop, have been outstanding throughout this tournament and on song, they have five players capable of launching - and finishing - thrilling attacks.

Dutch excitement
Meanwhile, the Netherlands may not have scored as freely as Abdullah Avci's side, but excitement has followed them wherever they have gone. Against Croatia they trailed 2-0 in added time but salvaged a 2-2 draw. Early in their last Group B game they trailed Israel 1-0 and Switzerland by a provisional five points, but came back to win and overtake the faltering Swiss.

Zaalman zest
Then, in their semi-final against hosts Italy, it took an extra-time goal from substitute Melvin Zaalman to settle matters. Zaalman had not played since suffering an ankle injury against Croatia, but arrived an hour into Wednesday's game, also at the Stadio Ettore Mannucci, and headed the winner.

Injury recurs
The winger was then withdrawn as the injury recurred, and coach Ruud Kaiser told uefa.com: "We have to look at it, because it is still a problem from the first game. We thought he was fit for at least half a game, but he hurt his foot again and it is not 100 per cent."

Sarpong concern
Kaiser's only other slight concern is another attacking midfielder, Jeffrey Sarpong, who hurt his shoulder. "I think he will be OK, he had a little dislocation, it went out and in again, but the sling was just a precaution," the coach said. Captain Dirk Marcellis returns to the defence after suspension.

October encounter
These teams met in the qualifying round in October, the Netherlands, at home, scoring a late equaliser as a 1-1 draw took both through. "When we played Turkey, their coach had only been there for a few weeks, he needed some time to build up his team, it was a little bit early," Kaiser said.

'Great side'
"They played a very good tournament then, but it was close against Armenia, only 2-1. Now they are winning 3-1 or 5-1. I think the Turkish coach also needed time and now he has a great side."

Avci impressed
Indeed, since losing their opener 1-0 to Italy, Turkey have defeated much-touted England 3-2, Belarus 5-1, and semi-final opponents Croatia 3-1. Avci, who had not long left Galatasaray SK's academy for his current role when they played the Dutch, is impressed by Kaiser's team.

Entertaining opponents
He said: "I do not think the Netherlands will have changed that much since we last played them. But in this tournament there are two teams who have always tried to play football and entertain the supporters - these sides are Turkey and the Netherlands."

'Minor knocks'
Avci, whose charges will be watched in Pontedera by Turkish Football Assocation president Dr Levent Biçakci, added that he should again field a full-strength lineup. "We have a few minor knocks and niggles, but there will be no problem on Saturday," he said.

Fitting finale
Whether tournament leading scorer Tevfik Köse and talented playmaker Nuri Sahin can win it for Turkey, or the likes of Diego Biseswar and Vurnon Anita swing it for the Dutch, the final has all the signs of giving the tournament a fitting, and thrilling, climax.