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Portugal end long wait

After winning the 1989 Under-16 final, Portugal had not progressed so far in seven years. But in 1995 they claimed the trophy for the second time.

Anderlecht's Constant Vanden Stock Stadium was the setting for the 1995 final
Anderlecht's Constant Vanden Stock Stadium was the setting for the 1995 final ©Getty Images

After winning the 1989 Under-16 final, Portugal had not progressed that far again in seven years. But in 1995 they claimed the trophy for the second time - and beat neighbours Spain in the final for good measure.

Holders Turkey but not runners-up Denmark made it through qualifying, and in their first season as separate nations, the nations that made up the old Czechoslovakia, a perennial U16 force, each made the Belgian-hosted finals without conceding or dropping a point. The Czech Republic kept up that form once in Belgium, beating Group A opponents Poland, Italy and Sweden. Sweden drew 1-1 with Italy then beat Poland 1-0 to take their semi-final place as Italy and Poland ended with a 0-0 result.

Belgium were in fine form in Group B, defeating France 4-1 then Norway 3-0 before clinching top spot with a goalless draw against Austria. France joined them in the last eight by beating Austria, and then, inspired by a Nicolas Anelka hat-trick, Norway 4-0. Spain cruised through Group C with wins against Germany, Turkey and Slovenia. Champions Turkey opened with a 2-0 victory against Slovenia but defeats by Spain then Germany allowed the latter side to advance at their expense. Portugal showed their intent by beating Slovakia with four second-half goals to open Group D, as England came from behind to draw 1-1 with Scotland. While Scotland were losing 3-1 to Portugal, England defeated Slovakia 2-1 with a late John Curtis winner. England then beat qualified Portugal 3-1 to win the group.

In the second year of the quarter-final stage, three of the four group runners-up went though. Germany beat the Czechs 2-0, Portugal and France won 1-0 against Belgium and England respectively. Group C winners Spain overcame Sweden 1-0. An all-Iberian final was a possibility and became reality as Portugal defeated Germany 3-1 and Spain beat France 2-0. Germany triumphed 2-1 against France for bronze and a place in the FIFA U-17 World Championship. The final between Portugal and Spain was held at the Constant Vanden Stock stadium in Brussels with the trophy going to Portugal thanks to second-half goals from Zeferino Soares and Vitor Pereira, the reverse of Portugal's 1988 final defeat by Spain on penalties.

At the World Championship in Ecuador, Germany and Spain fell in the group stage, while Portugal reached the quarter-finals, where they lost 2-0 to eventual winners Ghana.