Under-17 team guide: Spain

For Spain's team page click here

One of only two sides to reach this season's UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals with a 100 per cent record, Spain are among the pre-tournament favourites. With an enviable pedigree at all levels of youth football and the highly experienced Juan Santisteban at the helm of the side, the Spanish will be a tough proposition.

THE COACH:
Juan Santisteban has had an illustrious career as a player and a coach. Four times a European Champions' Club Cup winner with Real Madrid CF, Santisteban also starred for AC Venezia, Real Betis Balompié and the Baltimore Bays in the United States. Santisteban's coaching career began with the youth sides of his beloved Real Madrid in 1970, before he became assistant coach at the club, a post he held for 16 years.

Lifetime contribution
Since joining the Spanish national association in 1988, Santisteban has won seven youth competition titles. What is more, the players he has brought through at youth levels have gone on to win further honours, including the likes of Iker Casillas, Ivan de la Peña and Joseba Etxeberría. It is no wonder then that in August 2001, in recognition of his lifetime contribution to football, Santisteban received the Special UEFA President's Award at the gala in Monaco.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Francisco Nadal "Xisco" has already made his Primera Division debut for Villareal. A raw but talented striker, his technique is improving all the time. Midfield player José M. Jurado, who plays for Real Madrid, has also won some rave notices. With a keen eye for goal he is expected to break into the Madrid first team in the next couple of years if he continues to progress.

ROUTE TO THE FINALS:
As a seeded side Spain did not have to take part in the first qualifying round. In the second round they cantered to top spot, beating Bulgaria and Wales 3-0 and overcoming highly-rated France 2-0 to book their place in the finals without conceding a single goal.

Spain youth honours:
UEFA European Under-16 Championship:
Winners 1986, 1988, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2001
Runners-up 1992, 1995
UEFA European Under-19 Championship:
Winners 2002
UEFA European Under-18 Championship:
Winners 1995
Runners-up 1996
FIFA World Youth Cup:
Winners 1999
Runners-up 1995
FIFA World Under-17/16 Championship:
Runners-up 1991