Cross-channel rivals ready to duel in Donetsk

England and France will continue one of football's oldest rivalries when they meet in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-finals in Donetsk with little between the countries at this level.

Evenly matched
The pair have met in nine competitive U19 and U18 matches, each winning three. Les Bleus came out on top in the teams' most significant fixture, Jean Gallice guiding a side including current senior internationals Hugo Lloris, Abou Diaby and Yoann Gourcuff to a 3-1 win in the 2005 U19 final, but perhaps of more relevance is the 2007 European U17 Championship semi-final between the teams. Seven members of this England squad were involved, with three members of the France team appearing as an early Victor Moses goal earned England victory despite injury to Henri Lansbury, keeper Jason Steele keeping an excellent clean sheet

'Half a job done'
This time round England qualified for a first U19 semi-final since 2005 with a record-breaking 7-1 win against Slovenia, although coach Brian Eastick is not satisfied yet. "Our objective is to try to win it," he told uefa.com. "We're delighted to be in the semi-finals; it's half a job done. We have improved, we looked very rusty in the first game against Switzerland. The players' fitness and understanding is improving but the bar's gone up. We're looking forward to it but we're under no illusions. We'll have to continue to improve to have a chance of going through."

Fitness cloud
Andros Townsend is suspended and fellow midfielder Matthew James has returned to England while Joe Mattock and Danny Drinkwater sat out the Slovenia game with hamstring problems. "If they're not 100 per cent fit I shan't risk them," explained Eastick, who expects a stern test at the RSC Olympiyskiy Stadium. "France have some very good players. I saw them play Scotland earlier this year and I was very impressed. They look a very good team. Some of our passing was very good against Slovenia; the tempo of the game was probably quicker against Ukraine and I suspect the tempo against France will be similar to that, which may suit us."

'Great pleasure'
France midfielders Saïd Mehamha and Yann M'Vila missed that U17 semi-final for personal reasons and suspension respectively and the latter – now U19 captain – is banned again for this game. Gallice's side ousted Spain to reach a second semi-final in three seasons and the coach is thankful for that confidence boost, telling uefa.com: "We're confident but very tired after the game against Spain; that was a tough match. Spain are our bête noir so to win against them is always a great pleasure."

Offensive outlook
This season is Gallice's first in charge of the U19s since that 2005 triumph and over the past year he has become familiar with the strengths of this squad, adding: "We've achieved the first objective; now let's see if we can get to the final. We're getting better and better with each game and are trying to play offensive football and score goals. We'll have two or three tactical plans to deal with England. I know my players and I'm not surprised with what they've achieved. We have played nine games in qualifying and the finals and lost once so I'm pleased with that."