Scottish pretenders eye Spain upset

The established order faces a new challenge on Saturday evening as the final of the fifth UEFA European Under-19 Championship at the Stadion Miejski in Poznan pits two-time winners Spain against a Scotland team who are in these finals for the first time in 20 years.

Contrasting fortunes
While Spain ruled Europe at U19 level in 2002 and 2004 in addition to winning this competition's predecessor, the European U18 Championship, in 1995, Scotland were last involved in the U18 finals in 1986 although they had claimed the title in Finland four years previously. Although that history might count for little on Saturday, more relevantly Spain overcame the Scots 4-0 in the second round of matches in Group B and, although Tommy Wilson's side bounced back from that setback with wins against Turkey and the Czech Republic to earn a rematch, in most people's eyes Spain are firm favourites to prevail again.

'Respect our opponents'
Their coach Ginés Meléndez does not see it like that, however. "We must remember this is a different match from the first game," he said. "Scotland have an excellent team with excellent players and one match to prove that they deserve to be in the final. We're not the favourites in my eyes, this final is 50/50. Both teams deserve respect and our opponents are here because they deserve to be. We've been working very hard on the mentality of our of players and telling them it's not won yet."

Strikers suspended
While Meléndez has at his disposal the considerable might of a squad who have scored 15 goals in their four matches in Poland, including a 5-0 semi-final dismantling of Austria, goals could be harder to come by for Wilson's side in Poznan as strikers Steven Fletcher, who has nine to his name in the competition so far, and his probable replacement Robert Snodgrass are both suspended. Although Meléndez picked out the former as Scotland's best player, Wilson – who has midfielder Charlie Grant available again after his own ban - is keen to accentuate the positives.

Second opportunity
"We're looking forward to it very much; after the first game we said we'd love to have the opportunity to play against Spain in the final and that’s how it's presented itself," he explained. "They're by far the best team we've come up against in the two years that I've been in this job but we go into the match with a great spirit, and we'll approach it in the way we do every game; with good organisation, positive attitude and a desire to win. We'll bring in other players to replace those who are suspended and it gives them a fantastic opportunity to experience a great occasion."

Spanish benchmark
Meléndez might have been quick to downplay the tag of favourites but Wilson was keen to assume the role of underdogs, continuing: "Spain go into the final as favourites and we're the underdogs and both teams are used to that so it suits us both. Spain are the benchmark for us all but from the reaction we got after the first game against them, you can see we learn quickly. The reaction we got against Turkey suggests that my players are extremely strong mentally, they don't take defeat easily, and they don't lie down. They come back stronger." Scotland have the opportunity to show they have learnt the lessons of Pobiedziska on Saturday evening.