Disveld sure of Netherlands destiny

On Sunday, Daan Disveld will follow in the footsteps of Dirk Marcellis and Oğuzhan Özyakup by captaining the Netherlands in a UEFA European Under-17 Championship final – but unlike his predecessors he intends to lift the trophy.

Just like Özyakup's side two years ago, Disveld's team are playing Germany – the 2009 game in Magdeburg ending in a 2-1 extra-time defeat. AZ Alkmaar defender Marcellis experienced a 2-0 loss to Turkey four years earlier, but it is the more recent final on Disveld's mind, not least as in the group stage his side began by defeating Germany with two unanswered goals on 3 May.

"Germany have a great team, they keep fighting to the end like Germans always do," Disveld told UEFA.com. "I think both teams have revenge on their minds – we lost two years ago in the final and Germany lost in the opening match, so we both definitely want to win this time."

After beating Germany, Disveld's side overcame Romania 1-0, drew 0-0 with the Czech Republic and then saw off holders England in the semi-final. The NEC/FC Oss academy right-back is thrilled by the run. "This is a one-off opportunity, I am enjoying every minute here," he said. "Everything is new, the country, everything with UEFA, the interviews, the media attention. Everything is a great experience for me."

Disveld is part of a defence not breached in six games, including all four here, and he explained: "We have played the whole season with the same four defenders, we know each other really well, the goalkeeper too. We know what to do, we talk to each other a lot, that makes it really good."

Team spirit plays its part too. "The squad knows when to be serious and when to have a good time and that makes it really easy for me as the captain," Disveld said. "We have been together all year and the atmosphere in the team's always been great. Everyone knows each other and we have some funny guys in the squad."

Coach Albert Stuivenberg was also in charge in 2009, having reached the semi-final the year before and just missed out in the group 12 months earlier. "He is a very experienced coach, he has been at four Under-17 final tournaments," Disveld said. "From his experience we have learned to take things game by game, not to look ahead to the final in the opening game., He also knows when it's time to laugh with each other and when to be really focused, the coach controls that in a good way."