Spain team guide
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
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Jorge Vilda's free-scoring side, runners-up in 2014, were the first to qualify for Israel.
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Jorge Vilda's free-scoring side had an impressive passage to Israel, winning six out of six and scoring 36 goals, while a defence marshalled by Marta Turmo conceded only once.
Three of the top five scorers in qualifying were Spanish – Nahikari García and FC Barcelona pair Andrea Sánchez and Mariona Caldentey – and their team were the first to qualify.
"We just kept on improving," said midfielder Caldentey. "It is not just that we have great players but that we are a great group. This team have been together for a long time now and I think that shows. We are very excited about our prospects at the final tournament."
Spain fell just short in Norway last summer, finishing runners-up for the second time in three years, but the wait to add to their shock 2004 coronation could soon be over.
Route to finals
Qualifying round: 7-0 Croatia, 14-0 Lithuania, 2-1 Iceland
Elite round: 2-0 Portugal, 5-0 Turkey, 6-0 Finland
Top scorer: Andrea Sánchez (8)
Key players
Marta Turmo (defender, FC Barcelona), Andrea Sánchez (forward, FC Barcelona), Nahikari García (forward, Real Sociedad de Fútbol)
Coach: Jorge Vilda
Date of birth: 07/07/1981
Coaching career: Spain women's U17, Spain women's U19
The son of eminent coach Ángel Vilda, Jorge Vilda's promising playing career – featuring stints in the youth teams of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF – was curtailed by knee injuries. He began working as a fitness trainer with Madrid-based ACD Canillas in 2002 before taking charge of their junior sides, and in 2008 was hired by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Vilda led Spain's women's U17 squad to back-to-back UEFA European Women's U17 Championship triumphs in 2010 and 2011, then the following season they came runners-up. There was also success on the global stage, overseeing Spain's run to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final in 2014. By then he had taken over from his father at the U19 helm, helping Spain to the final in his first campaign.
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship record2013/14: runners-up
2012/13: did not qualify
2011/12: runners-up
2010/11: group stage
2009/10: group stage
2008/09: did not qualify
2007/08: group stage
2006/07: group stage
2005/06: did not qualify
2004/05: did not qualify
2003/04: winners
2002/03: group stage
2001/02: group stage
Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship
Winners: 2010, 2011