Stuivenberg grateful for Dutch good fortune

A year after an unfortunate 2-1 UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-final loss to Spain after extra time, relieved Netherlands coach Albert Stuivenberg admitted "this time we were lucky" as they overcame Switzerland by the same score at the same stage. Beaten coach Dany Ryser, meanwhile, said his team could "go back to Switzerland with pride" after a spirited second-half showing.

Albert Stuivenberg, Netherlands coach
Of course we are very pleased to reach the final. We didn't play very well. We worked hard and did some good things while in possession in the first half but we could have done much, much better. We were very fortunate to be 2-0 up as Switzerland had some chances to come back into the game. In the second half we had very big problems, physically the Swiss team are much stronger than we are. We tried to defend well but didn't always do a good job, that's why Switzerland came back to 2-1. After that we also missed two good chances, on counterattacks – if we'd scored the game would have been finished. But you have to be lucky sometimes. I remember last year's semi-final against Spain, we played a fantastic game and in the end we were not lucky, this time we were lucky and I am very happy with that.

It is very tough, we saw it out there, and the players are very tired. It sapped a lot of strength that we don't have. Our strength is usually the way we play in possession but our problem at the moment is we're not doing it do well. We have to enjoy this and celebrate being in the final but in two days the next game is coming and we have to prepare as best we can and hopefully that's enough.

Dany Ryser, Switzerland coach
I want to thank the Netherlands coach and wish him the best for the final. We conceded those two goals too early in the game. Both were very unlucky, but I give full respect to my team and now we can go back to Switzerland with pride. Once again we had the same system and the same starting XI. Our players are very tired now and we could not play at the same pace for 80 minutes like we played in the second half, especially against a strong team like the Netherlands. I want to congratulate my team for coming back strongly after being 2-0 down, right up to the final whistle. I am content with the achievement of my team and I have no regrets.