Finalists hoping for fairytale finish

When the 22 players take to the pitch at the Linzer Stadion for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final it will be the biggest match in their fledgling careers but Spain's Aarón Ñíguez and Michail Boukouvalas of Greece are hoping to rise to the occasion.

Nioplias praise
Forward Aarón has been one of the tournament's star players over the two weeks in Austria, scoring twice in the group stage and successfully converting the first penalty in the semi-final shoot-out victory against France, displays that earned praise from Greece coach Nikolaos Nioplias. "He's a very good player, very talented, especially in his range of passing. I watched him at the Meridian Cup earlier this year and he will be very special," he said.

'Highest peak'
Aarón himself feels he is on the verge of the biggest achievement of his fledging career. "Being a European champion is the highest peak for the team and for myself," he said. "It's been very good to play here and now the most important thing is to win the final and to finish this tournament in the happiest way possible."

Great occasion
Greece right-back Boukouvalas is in agreement about the magnitude of the game. "Every player would love to be in my place today, to have the chance to participate in this final," the 19-year-old Panaitolikos FC defender, an ever-present in Greece's finals campaign, explained. "An occasion like this gives all the players the chance to acquire more experience and creates more ambitions for the future."

'Very tough'
Aarón, 18, was part of the Spain side that reached the semi-finals of the European U17 Championship under Juan Santisteban a year ago and is now a key component of the elder team who are looking to become only the second team to win both UEFA youth competitions in the same year. The left-sided forward is aware of the level of the task ahead, however, saying: "The match will be very tough. Greece are like France in that they are difficult to beat; the match will be decided on very small details."

Spain respect
It is a fixture that brings the two teams together for the second time in six days following their goalless Group A draw at the same stadium. Boukouvalas insists that encounter will have no bearing on the outcome however, adding: "This match is a different game. Of course we know how strong Spain are; if we take into account their record from previous years and finals they're very good. They're strong at youth level, so we have plenty of respect for them but we'll still give everything to win the trophy."

Everything possible
"Everything is possible in a final," he continued. "I expect it to be a tight contest. We have to concentrate for 90 minutes and give 100 per cent to win." Aarón was also quick to show respect for the opposition, adding: "In the first match between us we were at the same level. It wasn't such an interesting game and it wasn't decisive for either side. But we know Greece are a very strong team and I expect them to play much better in the final."