U17 final: Spain guide

Spain have justified their pre-tournament billing as one of the favourites to win the UEFA European Under-17 Championship by cruising into the final without losing a game, scoring 12 goals in the process.

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.

Click here to read a uefa.com interview with Santisteban

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. However he is likely to be on the bench for the final after David hit a stunning four goals in a lethal semi-final display against Austria. Midfield player José M. Jurado, has a keen eye for goal and killer passes.

ROUTE TO THE FINALS:
QUALIFYING:
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.

FINAL TOURNAMENT:
An unexpectedly easy 2-0 win against Italy (click here for report) opened Spain's Group B campaign and was followed by a 3-0 cruise against Israel (click here) which secured a semi-final place with a game to spare. England rallied from 2-0 down in the final group game to draw 2-2 (click here), but the Spanish still topped the group. In the semi-finals four goals in the first half against Austria put Santisteban's side on the way to the final, as they ultimately won 5-2 (click here).

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