Globisz upbeat as Poland bow out

Poland coach Michał Globisz was typically sanguine despite the hosts seeing their UEFA European Under-19 Championship bid end with a 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic. He was left to reflect on "a special experience" and the consolation of a 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup place after finishing third in Group A. The Czechs won the section to earn a tie with Scotland while Austria coach Paul Gludovatz was left emotionally drained after fulfilling a "dream" by guiding Austria to a last-four encounter with Spain. Opposing number Marc Van Geersom will have to wait another year, however, after his side failed to progress to the knockout stages for the fifth time in succession. uefa.com collects the reaction.

CZECH REPUBLIC 2-0 POLAND
Michał Globisz, Poland coach
I am obviously disappointed to go out, but qualifying for the World Cup in Canada is a decent consolation; our minimum goal for this tournament. Before this game we believed in ourselves and our chances of qualifying, but the Czechs were just too strong. They were physically stronger, faster, more mobile and able to take advantage of their best qualities. Nevertheless we can take several positive aspects from this tournament, especially the experience for our players. As hosts we did not have to qualify, so games like the first in front of 15,000 spectators in Poznan were a special experience.

Miroslav Soukup, Czech Republic coach
I think the game was very even and tough although we had the better opportunities and took two of them. Poland were much tougher opponents than Austria and they played excellently against Belgium. They had more players who could score, so we had to be very careful and aware of all of them. Our recovery after the last game went well and players were well concentrated, we also made some good tactical switches. Perhaps we are a bit lucky to win the group and avoid a very strong Spanish side as they are the favourites here.

AUSTRIA 4-1 BELGIUM
Paul Gludovatz, Austria coach
This has been a dream of mine for 20 years working with the Austrian Football Association. What more can I say? I'm very emotional, it's a super thing. We have qualified for the World Cup and we're now in the semi-finals of the European Championship. We were good but very lucky. When we were 1-0 up we had a bit of a crisis with the penalty and then Lamah hitting the post twice but we came out of it. Then when we went two goals in front we relaxed a bit. The players showed great spirit. I told the Austrian senior team coach Josef Hickersberger that this game would be decided in the last 15 to 20 minutes and I was right.

Marc Van Geersom, Belgium coach
We always finish fourth in the group. I'm very disappointed. This is a good team too with several talented players. We had several good chances: we could have scored the penalty and had two shots that hit the post and a [Kevin] Mirallas effort that went just over. It could have been 2-1 to us. We conceded ten goals in three matches and that's simply too much. We're a small country and if some players are missing then we are going to have problems replacing them. Here we had our No1 goalkeeper suspended and three boys have already stepped up to the U21s and the senior side. All in all it's good experience for the boys and we'll try to be here next time.