Captains calling for final fillip

By Andrew Haslam in Belfast

Martin Cranie and Younes Kaboul, captains of England and France respectively, are hoping that years of hard work will be rewarded with a trophy when their sides meet in the final of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship on Friday.

Inspirational figures
The two men have been inspirational figures in helping their teams to the tournament showpiece. Cranie, a dominant centre-back, has been a solid and unyielding presence in the heart of England's back four while Kaboul has been likewise in the French back four, exuding calm assurance and authority. Both are respectful of their final opponents, but each is confident his side possess the necessary weapons to come out on top.

Four-year wait
"We've been waiting for this for four years, and we've nearly reached our goal," said the 19-year-old Kaboul. "We're confident and are not afraid. We will do everything in our power to win the match. May the best team win."

'Great achievement'
"This England side has been together for a long time," Cranie, 18, added. "Two years ago, we got to the semi-final of the European U17 Championship, so to go one step further this time is a great achievement for everyone involved with the squad."

Limited meaning
The teams drew 1-1 in the first match of the tournament, but neither is reading too much into that. "On that occasion, England were not really match-fit and didn't play that well," Kaboul said. "The final will be a different game. There will be lots of people, it's a nice stadium. All the elements required for it to be a good match are there."

'Finding our feet'
"In the first game, no one had played for a couple of months so it was a question of finding our feet again, we were all a bit rusty," Cranie agreed. "We performed quite well, but if we can go on and carry on improving, hopefully we can get the win."

French homework
The two captains speak respectfully of their cross-Channel rivals, and Cranie says the eventual winners will have overcome a stern examination. "We know it's going to be very tough, we've played France a couple of times in the past and come out with good results, so we know what their strengths are. They're particularly good going forward, although they're very strong throughout the team.

Team bonding
"Both teams know what the other's got but we've really bonded together well, we're starting to play better football so hopefully we can get a result," he continued. "We hadn't been together for about two months before the tournament, so we were just getting that out of our system in the first game. But as the games have progressed, we feel we've got better."

Style question
Win or lose at Windsor Park, both players believe this tournament will be of huge benefit to their careers, although neither is looking much beyond the final at this point. "International football's completely different to club football in terms of style, every country plays their own way so it gives you different experiences," Cranie said. " If we do well and five or six of our players go on to the senior side, it'd be great news for England. But first, it would be a great achievement for me to lift the trophy."

'Start of something'
"We know it would be a great start to our careers if we win the trophy," Kaboul confirmed. "But we are all aware that we have to keep our heads and give our all, and then we might be able to start something big."