Top two aim to seal progress

Spain and Yugoslavia both secured comfortable wins at the weekend and will be looking to repeat that feat in the second round of UEFA European Under-17 Championship matches today.

Spain face underdogs
Spain, who came from a goal down to beat the Czech Republic 4-1 in Nykøbing on Saturday, face underdogs Moldova in a match that the Iberian side will be confident of earning three points from. Moldova conceded six against Yugoslavia in their opening match and will be hoping to cause a major surprise when they take on the reigning champions in a must-win fixture.

Man of the moment
Striker Jonathan Soriano is Spain's man of the moment, having scored twice against the Czechs in his side's superb attacking display, while Jaime Gavilán Martinez has also caught the eye. Coach Juan Santisteban may rotate his squad for the Moldova match but is sure to be going for the win, as goal difference may decide who finishes top of their section. Many have labelled Spain and Portugal as the two sides most likely to win the tournament, but as France proved with a 2-0 win against Portugal in Group B on Sunday, no team is invincible.

Mountain to climb
Moldova, in their first major finals at any level, will be keen to erase the memory of the six goals conceded against Yugoslavia. In contrast, they will be concentrating on the three goals they did manage in that game, when Alekandr Zislis and Denis Calincov (2) were on target. Coach Petru Efros knows that his team have a mountain to climb if they are to overcome a powerful Spanish side, but he is sure to want Moldova to prove that they are not in Denmark just to make up the numbers.

Lecic blow
The day's other Group D match brings together Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic in Nakskov. Yugoslavia will be full of confidence following their six-goal haul against Moldova but will also be wary of the fact that they conceded three against the rank outsiders. Having cruised through qualifying Group A with three wins from three matches, Momcilo Vujacic's side are undoubtedly an impressive team but they will know that the final game against Spain on Wednesday is likely to be the group's deciding fixture. Their one major injury doubt is Miroslav Lecic who was taken to hospital after the first match with a suspected broken leg.

Czechs aim to bounce back
The Czech Republic made hard work of a qualifying group that contained Belgium, Slovakia and Luxembourg and will be eager to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of Spain at the weekend. Highly-rated at senior level, the Czechs have yet to fulfil their promise at U-17 level, a fact that will only increase coach Roman Pucelik's desire for victory over Yugoslavia. Michal Papadopulos gave his side a shock early lead against Spain but his team-mates must improve on a defensive display that then saw them concede four without reply.