Old foes meet again

When Spain take on France in the semi-final of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship at Valby Idrätspark it will be a repeat of last year's U-16 final when the two sides met in Sunderland.

Spain the favourites
Back then Spain took the honours thanks to a 76th-minute penalty by Fernando José Torres Sanz and there are strong indications that the outcome of that match could repeat itself in today's semi-final.

Thanking their luck
France were left to thank their luck when an injury-time equaliser from Kevin Lejeune brought them level in Sunday's quarter-final against Germany and saw them eventually prevail in a penalty shootout. The form of Luc Rabat's side has been unpredictable throughout the tournament with a win against Portugal and a defeat against the Swiss, and the French were fortunate to slip into the quarter-finals via the back door, by virtue of a superior goal difference to Ukraine.

'Best yet to come'
'Les Bleus' are also set to miss the services of Stade Rennais FC striker Jimmy Briand, who injured a calf in the stalemate with Ukraine yet coach Rabat remains upbeat about his side's chances against Spain. "We lost 2-0 to them in a tournament in Las Palmas last month but that was only our second defeat in 25 matches and I believe Spain were lucky in that match", he said. "However, I strongly believe that the best is yet to be seen from our side."

Lapses of concentration
Rabat's side will no doubt have to keep a close eye on leading scorer Jonathan Soriano who has hit the back of the net seven times so far during the tournament. Soriano was also on target when Spain booked their semi-final ticket via a penalty shootout against Denmark in a match where coach Juan Santisteban Troyano's side showed lapses of concentration at the back to allow the Danes back in the match from a two-goal deficit.

'We have the qualities to win'
"My players thought the match was finished when we went two goals up and that is simply a mistake they cannot allow themselves again in the match against France", said Troyano. "Last month we won 2-0 against them in Spain so we know we have the qualities to beat them. But the question is of course if we can perform at the same level again as in Las Palmas."