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Germany and Netherlands top Group B billing

Germany and the Netherlands are predicting a tough encounter in their Group B opener, while debutants Romania are banking on team spirit as they face the Czech Republic.

Adrian Vasâi, Steffen Freund, Albert Stuivenberg and Josef Csaplár at the press conference in Belgrade
Adrian Vasâi, Steffen Freund, Albert Stuivenberg and Josef Csaplár at the press conference in Belgrade ©Sportsfile

UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B kicks off as the tournament ended two years ago, with a meeting of Germany and the Netherlands, while newcomers Romania are looking to team spirit to see them through against the Czech Republic.

Germany, then hosts, beat the Netherlands 2-1 after extra time to win the 2009 tournament, but neither qualified last season. Both put that right this year – Germany with six perfect wins – and there is much mutual respect ahead of their Smederevo opener.

"It's a special game, Holland against Germany, and a difficult game for us," said Germany coach Steffen Freund, without top scorer Samed Yesil and defender Koray Günter due to suspension against a side they beat 2-1 in a September friendly. "Holland are really strong, I know their squad. They beat Portugal, who we lost against a few months ago, and drew against Croatia and beat Austria, who I know, we beat them in the qualifying round which was difficult. That's why I can't say who are favourites. We know what we have to do."

Albert Stuivenberg has led the Netherlands to a fourth finals in his five-year reign, but over the weekend injuries ruled out attackers Jordi Bitter and Jean-Paul Boëtius, who scored the goal against Portugal that earned qualification. "That's all in the game and we have confidence in the two new players [Danzell Gravenburch and Michael Chacon]," Stuivenberg said.

"The first game is always a difficult one. It is the first time the players have experienced this so we always have to wait and see if the players are ready. We are confident, we know Germany are a very strong side. We have lost one game this season and it was against Germany, our first game, a friendly. Many things have changed, we have developed and they have developed."

Romania are the 31st UEFA nation to compete in the ten U17 final tournaments and coach Adrian Văsâi, missing banned midfielder Steliano Filip, is banking on the fruits of squad stability against the Czech Republic at Belgrade's FK Obilić Stadium. "It will be a very difficult game for us," he said. "The Czech Republic are very strong. But we are here and have our strengths and we hope for a good result. Our main strength is team spirit and the fact they have been playing together for a long time."

The Czech Republic are the first team to make the U17s finals having only progressed from the autumn's qualifying round as one of the best third-placed finishers. Eight changes were made by coach Josef Csaplár prior to March's elite round victory in Italy and he has spoken about a "new era" in Czech football, focusing on being able to ensure youth talents can consistently make the transition to senior ranks.

"We have a lot of information on Romania," said Csaplár, missing suspended midfielder Aleš Čermák. "But for us it is important to develop the playing style as much as the results. We have a lot of information but 80% or 90% we concentrate on ourselves. We want to see good, creative football."