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Group A ready for thrilling conclusion

All four teams in Group A go into their concluding games still harbouring hopes of a place in the semi-finals although Spain and Greece are in pole position.

All four teams in UEFA European Under-19 Championship Group A go into the final round of fixtures still harbouring hopes of reaching the semi-finals with Spain and Greece in pole position to progress.

Crunch games
Holders Spain take on Greece in Linz knowing a draw would be enough to put them both into the last four, while at the same time in Ried, Austria and Portugal meet with victory for either giving them a chance of qualification, but only if the other game produces a winner. Hermann Stadler is looking to guide Austria to their second successive semi-final, hot on the heels of the country's success in reaching the last four of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. "We'll believe we can qualify until the very last minute in Ried. It's not the biggest chance now but we still have a chance," said the coach, whose side will go through if victory on Saturday is combined with a Greece defeat, although the goal difference is also against Stadler's side.

Austria injuries
The hosts' chances have been hindered by injuries to Christoph Mattes (knee), Stefan Ilsanker (knee) and Haris Bukva (ankle), while Marko Arnautovic is suspended following his dismissal in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Greece. Portugal, meanwhile, will name a full-strength side as they attempt to get the three points they need that will take them through if Greece beat Spain and an inferior goal difference of three is reversed. After drawing against Spain on Wednesday, coach Edgar Borges remains confident, saying: "We still have a chance of qualifying although Austria are a very competitive team. The teams are equally matched so it will be a tough game for us."

Group superiority
Spain and Greece, meanwhile, are playing for the right to go through as pool winners. The Iberian side, aiming for their third semi-final appearance in four years, will win Group A if they collect a point at the Linzer Stadion and should have captain Javier Martínez in their starting lineup following his recovery from a head injury sustained against Portugal. Nonetheless Juan Santisteban set is to alter a team that has been unchanged so far, explaining: "I will make changes because players are getting tired."

Surprise package
"I always thought the group was very even," added the Spain coach. "We knew Greece were very strong and aggressive but in general all the four teams are on an equal level." Greece have been the surprise package in the tournament to date, defeating fancied Portugal in their opening fixture, and they remain optimistic about a repeat against Spain. "Qualification for the semi-finals is in our own hands and that's all you can ask for," said their coach Nikolaos Nioplias.

Greek pride
"We will play against the holders so it will be tough, although Spain's way of playing suits us as they have a more technical approach. I believe we will get to the last four. This is the fruits of two years of work with this team - we have found players who are proud to play for Greece and who deserve to wear our shirt," added Nioplias, who is aiming to get Greece to the semi-finals for the first time. His side go into the match without suspended duo Elin Dimoutsos and Georgios Ioannis, while Kyriakos Stratilatis will start in goal in place of Apostolos Androutsos, who will miss the rest of the finals with a broken finger.

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