Spanish eyes set on final

By Andrew Haslam in Tours

Spain will be seeking a place in the final of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship for the second consecutive year when they play England at the Stade Jean Leroi on Wednesday.

Final failures
Juan Santisteban guided his side to the deciding match of this competition a year ago, when they were edged out 2-1 by Iberian neighbours Portugal in Viseu. Spain then went on to reach the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Championship only to fall at the last fence once again, losing 1-0 to Brazil in Helsinki.

Free scoring
Spain came into this competition in good heart having scored eleven goals in their three qualifying games, but needed only one, from Villarreal CF midfield player Marcos, to edge out Turkey in their opening game. However, an own goal from Mario in the next game gave tournament hosts France a narrow win and control of Group A but, needing a win to give themselves the best possible chance of qualification, Santisteban's side found their form when it mattered most.

Pedraza treble
A hat-trick from RCD Espanyol striker Pedraza, his first goals for Spain's U17 team, helped his side demolish Northern Ireland 4-1 in St-Cyr-sur-Loire, with Diego scoring the fourth to complete the win. The result confirmed Spain in second place in the section behind France and earned a meeting with Group B winners England in Blois.

'Happy for the team'
Pedraza was a relieved man after the game, telling uefa.com: "I'm very happy with my performance and with the performance of the team. I liked my first goal but my favourite was the third. I'm very happy because I helped us qualify."

Spanish success
The 17-year-old was not particularly perturbed about the prospect of appearing in the last four. "To be honest, I'm not worried about the semi-finals," he admitted. "The most important thing is for us to be among the four best European teams. I know that Spain is one of the best countries for youth football and we hope that we can still do well in these competitions."

Fears allayed
The striker, who has scored 23 goals for Espanyol's youth side, believes that his side will be more relaxed against England. "Before the match against Northern Ireland there were a few nerves, but after we knew that France had scored [confirming Spain in second place] we became more settled and could play our own football. However, by the time you get to the semi-finals all the games are difficult, so it will not be easy for us."

Finals meeting
Spain met England in the group stage of the competition a year ago and shared four goals in an entertaining encounter, when early goals from Xisco and Jurado gave Spain a 2-0 half-time lead before Steven Taylor and James Milner's second-half strikes gave England a draw.

Work together
Santisteban called for his side to show more ruthlessness in front of goal after the Northern Ireland game, and also asked that they play as a team more rather than a collection of individuals.

No easy games
It is this last factor that Santisteban feels could prove decisive in the semi-final. "All the teams [left in the competition] are difficult," he told uefa.com. "Of course we will study the opposition, but we also have to think more about ourselves. If we play as we can, we have a good chance."