Group rivals bid to end Spain reign

Spain absentees
Spain, who take on Switzerland at the World of Wonders Football Centre near Antalya, added last year's U17 title to their six at U16 level, all but one under stalwart coach Juan Santisteban. However, the Real Madrid CF legend is without Barcelona midfielder Rubén Rochina through suspension and had three players ruled out on the eve of the tournament through injury; defenders Rubén Molero and Marc Muniesa plus Liverpool FC striker Dani Pacheco, who failed to recover from an ankle problem.

Enjoyment
On top of that, the Spain coach points out that things are very different to the 2007 squad that starred a striker now regularly playing for FC Barcelona. "Bojan Krkić, we would love to have him again," Santisteban said. "But there is no added pressure on the others from being favourites or the reigning champions. What I stress to the players is that they must enjoy themselves, and make the most of this opportunity to gain as much experience as possible. I never tell them to go out and win the game but rather to enjoy it and with a bit of luck get some success."

Swiss rivals
His rival, Switzerland coach Yves Débonnaire is not expecting things to be easy. "It is a very good group," he said. "Ireland's fighting spirit is something Switzerland would like to have. France – as a fellow francophone country – it is an opportunity to compare and see if we are on the right path. And Spain have won a lot of European titles at this level, so it's a good chance to see where Switzerland are."

French pride
France, who take on Ireland in the official opening televised match at the Mardan Sport Complex, are missing banned midfielder Loïc Damour, but have a talented team tipped to have the potential to reclaim the trophy Samir Nasri and co lifted in 2004. "Our hope for the group is to go far," said coach Francis Smerecki. "We hope for success but are proud to be here. The group is very difficult, with four teams of a similar standard. Ireland are a good side, they will be well-prepared, compact and hard to break down, They did well to knock out Germany and Portugal."

Ireland ready
That took Ireland into their first U17 finals, though they did win the 1998 U16 and U18 double, and coach Sean McCaffrey – without suspended midfielder Conor Hourihane – is looking forward to the challenge. "All French teams are tactically very mobile around the middle of the park and have a great defence," he said. "It is a fantastic game to play in. We are not going in with an inferiority complex, but we know we are in for a huge challenge."