Spain to tackle France in U17 final

Holders Spain will take on France in Friday night's UEFA European Under-17 Championship final in Antalya after both survived semi-final scares on Tuesday.

Hosts ousted
France ended the hopes of hosts Turkey in a penalty shoot-out – but first needed Thimothée Kolodziecziak to equalise eleven minutes from time after Abdülkadir Kayalı's long-range strike just past the half-hour had put the home team in front. Both teams saw their opening penalties saved, yet Anthony Mfa Mezui repelled Turkey striker Batuhan Karadeniz's fourth effort to pave the way for France substitute Alexandre Lacazette to secure a 4-3 win on spot-kicks. "We wanted to be champions but this is where our journey ends," said Turkey coach Şenol Ustaömer from the Mardan Sport Complex.

Spain through
That will be the venue for the final at 19.30 local time (18.30 CET) when France tackle Spain in a repeat of the 2004 final won by Les Mini-Bleus. Spain needed extra time to defeat the Netherlands at the Antalya Atatürk Stadium, substitute Ángel Martínez scoring a magnificent winner 12 minutes in after Pulido had cancelled out a headed opener from Rodney Sneijder. The final will be live on Eurosport and viewers will hope for a repeat of these team's thrilling group game last Wednesday when France led three times only for Spain to equalise each time in a 3-3 draw.