Croatia aim to edge contest

Good record
Gudelj's side reached the last four three years ago, having pipped Switzerland in the group stage and although he is without key defender Matej Jonjić – injured in a friendly against Sweden – the presence of forward Stjepan Kokot and midfielder Mario Tičinović gives the coach confidence. "We have played 24 matches with this generation, and won 21," he said. "These are excellent results and we have proved we have a talented team which is capable of reaching the final phase."

Similar opponents
They did not concede a goal in the qualifying round, beating Georgia 4-0 and Bulgaria 2-0 before a draw with Hungary. Although they lost Jonjić against Sweden, they won the matches 2-1 and 3-2, and Gudelj has hope for this week's games. "All three opponents are similar," he said. "They are disciplined, and play well in defence and launch dangerous counterattacks. But in the past we have good results against Switzerland and Denmark, though Belgium are relatively unknown to us."

Close contest
Their last game is against Switzerland and Gudelj will hope to end against Yves Débonnaire's side as he did when the teams met in the 2005 group stage decider, when Croatia won 5-2 to finish top. Débonnaire is again leading Switzerland this season, and is predicting a close contest, his team having beaten Kazakhstan, Luxembourg and Greece in the qualifying round but lost 2-1 to Turkey in a friendly this month. Débonnaire said: "It is important that my players learn to analyse strengths and weaknesses of opponents. This kind of tournament is ideal for that." Among his key men are Philippe Koch, Michael Lang, Admir Mehmedi and Steven Ukoh.

Hazard danger
Belgium hosted last year's finals having qualified by right in 2006, and coach Patrick Klinkenberg can count on the playmaker that starred in their run to the last four on home soil, Eden Hazard. Klinkenberg said: "Hazard himself asked to return to the age group he belongs to. He already was with the U19s but I think it is very positive he himself has asked to return. I believe we already have a strong unit, and Hazard will be part of that, but he can maybe add that little extra; be the cherry on the cake."

Denmark blow
Denmark's last U17 finals were in 2003, but another qualification will be a good send-off for coach Glen Riddersholm before he takes over as assistant at FC Midtjylland. He has lost vice-captain Jens Stryger Larsen through injury, but can select talented defenders Alexander Juel Andersen and Mathias Reimer Larsen plus forward Nikola Saric, who has second division experience with Herfølge BK. "We have a team who can do well, but there are four strong nations, who all have equal chances," Riddersholm said. "I am convinced that mental strength will decide which team wins the group."