Coaches set for U17 derby day

Gruop B of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship opens with a dream derby between hosts Belgium and the Netherlands and before that England meet surprise qualifiers Iceland, who look set to be without their key player.

Waiting over
The Low Countries encounter takes place in Tubize and Belgium coach Bob Browaeys, his side fresh from a morale-boosting 1-0 friendly win in Germany at the weekend, is excited. "We have worked towards this for two years," Browaeys told uefa.com. "We have tried a lot of things and we hope we are ready. There is always pressure in the first game, we are playing against our Dutch friends. I'm looking forward to it and hope it will be an attractive game. Every time we play the Netherlands it is a special game as we took our philosophy of youth development from them ten years ago and they gave us a lot of ideas."

Nelom out
Two of the Dutch squad, PSV Eindhoven forward Genero Zeefuik and AFC Ajax striker Jarchinio Antonia, have already made their first-team debuts, but left-back Miguel Nelom has damaged his knee and been replaced by Ridny Cairo. "These things happen," said Netherlands coach Albert Stuivenberg, who also is without suspended midfielder Daley - son of Danny - Blind against Belgium. "It is a real pity if you are 16 or 17 and a regular team player and you are out before the championship." As for the game, he added: "It will be a very nice atmosphere. A lot of pressure, maybe, but two teams that like to play attacking football."

Sigthórsson blow
Like the Dutch, Iceland have suffered a late blow as the top scorer in the Elite round - and four-goal hero in the decisive 6-5 win against Russia - Kolbeinn Sigthórsson hurt his hip on Sunday and may not play any part in the tournament. "At the moment, probably not," coach Lúkas Kostic admitted, though it cannot take away from the thrill of Iceland's first final tournament at any level for a decade, a qualification that surprised him as much as anyone. "It is a great honour, they are very exited and looking forward to the games. They are well up for it. Icelanders are big fans of English football, you can see it daily in Iceland. There is no better game to start than England. I know almost all the parents will be here. All my friends are calling daily. There is big interest in Iceland, but no pressure on our team."

Respect for Iceland
England manager John Peacock has replaced injured defender Tommy Smith with Gavin Hoyte, younger brother of Arsenal FC colleague Justin, and has forward Rhys Murphy suspended in Ronse. He knows not to underestimate Iceland, saying: "They won't be easy, we don't take any game lightly. With me the players will understand they do need to take it seriously, they know from this year no game is easy. Our expectations are higher but we have to fulfil them and the attitude has to be correct."