Santisteban sets sights on sixth title

In last year's UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Italy, the party was missing some familiar guests - Spain. For the first time since the 1987 U16 finals they were absent, pipped to the finals on goal difference by Switzerland. Twelve months on the Spanish are back, and their veteran coach Juan Santisteban is delighted.

Sole absence
"After 17 years working at the Spanish Football Federation last year was the only time we didn't make it to the finals and it all came down to one goal," Santisteban told uefa.com. "I'm very excited about this European Championship because last year was such a disappointment for me since the qualifying tournament was played in Spain, in Mallorca, and although we played well we didn't score enough goals. I had always managed to see my teams go through except for last season."

'Tough group'
In the Elite round they bounced back from a surprise draw against home side Cyprus to defeat Wales and Moldova. In last week's finals draw they were handed another opener against hosts - Luxembourg - before facing other Group A rivals Russia and Hungary. "It's a tough group, especially when it comes to the Russians," Santisteban said. "We played them and Hungary last year and drew 1-1 with Russia and beat Hungary 6-1. I have a lot of respect for the Russians and their physical strength worries me quite a lot because they're a tremendous team. But when we get there I will watch the first match between Russia and Hungary and I'll get a better idea about their strengths. [Luxembourg] didn't play in the qualifying round I haven't seen them play much but nowadays there's no easy match."

German concern
Indeed, that was proved by some of the teams that missed out on. "I'm very, very surprised at Turkey, England and Portugal not being in the finals," Santisteban said. "My God, how could they have not qualified?!" As for the potential knockout stage opponents, he added: "I think Germany has an impressive team, they're very good. The Czech Republic has too, so those two rivals would be the toughest."

New faces
Having overseen five of Spain's six U16 title wins prior to the switch to U17 classification in 2001/02 - since when Santisteban's squad have twice finished runners-up - the coach has brought on some rare talents, including Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas. So who is next? Santisteban revealed: "I attended the U15 and U16 training camp in Madrid and I was very impressed by a 16-year-old from FC Barcelona, Bojan Krkic, a very talented player so I hope he isn't overwhelmed by the U17s. Then there's Emilio Nsue and Aaron Ñíguez, who I fielded as centre forward for the first time against Moldova in Cyprus and he did very well and scored a hat-trick. In midfield I have César Azpilicueta and Ignacio Camacho. But in general my team has a will of iron and great talent."

Changes
With a coaching experience stretching back well before any of his squad were born, Santisteban has seen many changes in how football is taught to young players. "It's completely different," he said. "Before technique had a tremendous importance and players were more in touch with the ball, whereas now physical conditioning is predominant and they hardly train with the ball. It's a pity really because I prefer a technically talented player to a physical one. I want my team to move the ball around."