Switzerland face Jong Oranje for final place

While Switzerland coach Dany Ryser has predicted "an attractive match", Netherlands counterpart Albert Stuivenberg is hoping his side continue to improve as the two nations meet this morning in Grimma for a place in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final.

Evenly balanced
After Switzerland topped Group A with two draws and a win against Italy, Ryser is looking forward to an open game against the Netherlands, second in Group B after holding England 1-1, beating Turkey 2-1 and losing 2-0 to hosts Germany. "They have a typical Dutch style – very good technically, offensive and good to watch," Ryser said. "I hope to see an attractive match on Friday." Although he thinks it will be pleasant on the eye, Ryser is stopping short of making a prediction. "It's difficult to say how the game will pan out," he added. "We knew against Spain they would have more of the ball but I hope we are able to impose our style, a constructive approach, against the Dutch."

Education
Switzerland last made it to the U17 semi-finals in 2002 when they picked up the title, but Ryser is content for the moment that his players are getting to experience a high profile tournament for as long as possible. "This is the fourth game and it's a very important experience – it's impossible to replicate," he said. "For the young players it's the best education." Ryser has injury concerns over two of those players – captain Frédéric Veseli in defence and midfielder Oliver Buff – after they picked up foot and thigh problems respectively, but is "hopeful that they'll be fit". If they fail to recover, Ryser will be forced to alter his starting XI for the first time in the tournament. In addition, five of the squad are a booking away from missing a potential final.

Dutch improvement
The Netherlands, yet to have a player cautioned, were knocked out in last year's semi-finals by eventual winners Spain after extra time and coach Stuivenberg has called on his players to go one better this time. "We did not start [the tournament] well," he said. "But I saw an improvement against Germany even though we lost. So hopefully we can continue this way of playing." Developing a killer instinct in the final third would also improve Dutch credentials. "We created maybe five or six chances against Germany and did not score," the 38-year-old coach added. "We had a lot of possession against Germany but not in their half so we have to do that better against Switzerland."

Swiss threat
Stuivenberg has no major injury worries, but does hope his players can keep their energy levels up after a highly competitive group stage. "I must say you can see that the trip has taken its toll on a lot of players," he added. "But the spirit is very good." The coach is also aware of the challenge offered by the unbeaten Swiss. "They are a very difficult team to play against. In the group some very good teams could not beat Switzerland and this is their biggest quality. They are dangerous opponents."