Underdogs set Latin test

The UEFA European Under-19 Championship reaches the semi-final stage on Wednesday when Portugal face Austria and Italy take on the Czech Republic. Vaduz will host both matches, with the Austria-Portugal match kicking off at 16.30CET and the Italy-Czech Republic game following at 20.00.

No inferiority complex
Before a ball was kicked in the tournament, Portugal and Italy would have been considered favourites in their respective matches. But the Latin sides will not have it easy. Paul Gludovatz, coach of Group B winners Austria, stressed that his players should have no inferiority complex against Portugal when he said: "Why not? We have more points from the group stage."

Team unit
His Czech counterpart, Michal Bílek, said: "I think players in Italy, Portugal are different - they can play better, they can hold the ball better, they're technically stronger. But we are more prepared physically and I think we play more as a team."

No Berger
Austria's match with Portugal will be broadcast live in both countries. Roman Kienast should return to the starting lineup for Austria but they will be missing suspended defender Markus Berger. "It's very hard - he is one of our captains and is a fixture in the Under-21 squad. But I am prepared," said Gludovatz.

Daniel to return
Portugal coach Carlos Dinis, meanwhile, promised "a few changes" from the side that drew 2-2 with Norway on Sunday - changes which should include the return of captain Daniel from injury. Asked about the Austrians, Dinis replied: "They're a strong team defensively, they don't afford you much space, they're aggressive in possession and they counterattack well, especially on the left-hand side."

Italian ambition
Italy coach Paolo Berrettini was bold about his side's ambitions ahead of the match against a Czech side they defeated 3-0 in a friendly in the spring. "At this stage we have to believe strongly that we can achieve our goal, which is to win the tournament. I won't hide that fact," he said.

Word of warning
"We've played the Czechs many times and we've always done well. That's the only danger because we both know each other well. They're a solid team with good players. They'll play a physical game but I want my team to play at their own pace, playing one-touch football."

In and out
While Berrettini may be able to call on defender Andrea Mantovani, injured for the last two games, Czech coach Bílek is missing the suspended Petr Mikolanda but does welcome back Adam Varadi and Roman Hubník. "Hubník did not play against England but he is a very good player and important in the dressing room," he said.

Hungry for success
Of the Italians, Bílek said: "They're a good team but we can beat them." The Czechs, he added, were hungry for success, and buoyed by their 3-0 win against England. "My players now know if they want to win they have to work much harder than against Austria [a 4-1 defeat]. Against England they played very well, they fought, they wanted to win, and this is important."

'Still not satisfied'
"We qualified for this tournament ahead of teams like Germany, Belgium and Slovakia. We said before we left Prague that we want success. And what is success? To be in the top few teams. Now we are there but we are still not satisfied."