France fulfil Under-17 finals ambition

France have qualified for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship for the third year in succession after securing the win they needed against Denmark.

Souquet winner
Philippe Bergeroo's side knew victory would ensure they ended Elite round Group 4 on top on home soil, while Denmark also had hopes should they have taken the three points. Arnaud Souquet's goal just before half-time proved decisive for France, who go into Friday's draw in Leipzig for the finals from 6-18 May. They will hope to continue the improving sequence that has had them end in the semi-finals in 2007 and finish runners-up last season, while Bergeroo will aim to repeat the success of his previous campaign as U17 coach, when France won as hosts five years ago.

Coach's comments
Bergeroo said: "The aim was to advance and to be in the top eight. We had a very good tournament in spite of some trouble in the first half against Norway. I'm especially happy for those players have not only been experiencing beautiful things over the last two years [in particular a car crash in Turkey a few months ago]."