Portugal team guide

Portugal won all six of their qualifying games, sealing their place at the finals with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory on home turf against elite round Group 7 rivals Belgium. "Today we became a great team, winning after such a strong challenge from Belgium," said coach Hélio Sousa after his side had recovered from two goals down in Barcelos.

The squad has a strong attacking philosophy. Tomás Podstawski is a stalwart in midfield, a conduit between defence and the forwards, while Manchester City FC's Marcos Lopes is creator-in-chief, supporting Gelson Martins, Ivo Rodrigues and André Silva.

Runners-up in 2003 and two-time winners of the old UEFA European Under-18 Championship, Portugal are appearing at their third finals in succession.

Qualifying round: Luxembourg 3-0, San Marino 6-0, Norway 3-2 (Group 8 winners)

Elite round: Greece 3-0, Wales 3-2, Belgium 3-2 (Group 7 winners)

Key players
Tiago Sá (goalkeeper, SC Braga), Tomás Podstawski (midfielder, FC Porto), Marcos Lopes (midfielder, Manchester City FC), André Silva (forward, FC Porto)

Coach: Hélio Sousa
Date of birth: 12/08/1969

Winner of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989, Sousa spent his playing days exclusively with home-town club Vitória FC. Fittingly, it was with the Setubal outfit that he started his coaching career. In 2010, he was invited onto the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) technical staff and has coached every team from the U16s to the U19s.

Team records

Qualifying top scorers
André Silva: 6
Cristian: 3
Nuno Santos: 3
Ivo Rodrigues: 3

UEFA European Under-19 Championship best
Runners-up: 2003

Honours in UEFA youth competitions
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Winners 1994, 1999
Runners-up 1988, 1990, 1992, 1997

UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winners 2003

UEFA European Under-16 Championship
Winners 1989, 1995, 1996, 2000
Runners-up 1988

International Youth Tournament (U18)
Winners 1961
Runners-up 1971

Other honours
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winners 1989, 1991