Appearing in the European Under-19 Championship final for the first time since 2019, Spain Under-19s are set to face four-time finalists France Under-19s at Windsor Park on Sunday.
Spain squeezed past Italy 1-0 in extra time on July 25, while France beat Ukraine 1-0 in 90 minutes to reach their first final since they were crowned champions in 2016.
Match preview
La Rojita are unbeaten in the tournament and finished second in Group B with five points from their three games against Denmark, Turkey and fellow finalists France.
Their second-placed finish in the group stage set up a clash against Italy in the semi-final of the competition, but it also meant they qualified for the Under-19 2025 FIFA World Cup.
Spain's 1-0 win against Italy in the semi-final was a fairly even contest, with Spain producing 13 shots as opposed to Italy's 15.
However, it should be noted that seven of Italy's efforts were from outside the box, whereas La Rojita only shot three times from distance.
Real Madrid winger Pol Fortuny was subbed on in the 56th minute for Assane Diao and attempted five crosses, had a pass accuracy of 81% and scored in the 100th minute with his only shot of the game.
Jose Lana has been in charge of the team since January 2023, and if he can win the European Under-19 Championship final then it will be the side's 12th time winning the tournament.
Opponents France drew 2-2 with La Rojita in the group stage on July 22, and though they initially took a 13th minute lead thanks to a goal from Saimon Bouabre, they required an own goal from goalkeeper Raul Jimenez Latorre in the 90th minute to avoid defeat.
Les Bleuets began the competition with a 2-1 win against Turkey and a 4-2 victory against Denmark before they drew their final group game against Spain.
Though France dominated possession and had 64% of the ball in their semi-final clash against Ukraine, they only had eight shots and also faced seven attempts.
Valentin Atangana Edoa's goal in the 61st minute was enough to help Les Bleuets advance to the final, and the captain's second-half strike continued his team's trend of scoring in the latter stage of matches.
In fact, only two of France's nine goals at the tournament have come in the first half, with six of their goals coming in the 65th minute or later.
Manager Bernard Diomede has been in charge since July 2023, and if his team were to come up trumps in the final then it would be their eighth time winning the Under-19 European Championship.
Team News
Given that Spain were moments away from victory against France in the group stage of the tournament, boss Lana could name a similar starting XI to the team that drew 2-2 in that match.
Dani Rodriguez scored in the 65th minute against France and has started three of his nation's four games in the competition, so he could be in line to start on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Lana has started centre-backs Wassim Keddari and Yarek Gasiorowski in front of Raul Jimenez Latorre in every match at the Under-19 European Championship, and the trio can be expected to start the final as well.
As for Les Bleuets, Ayman Aiki was benched for his team's win against Ukraine before coming on as a substitute at half time for Lucas Michal, and he will be pushing for a spot in the XI on Sunday.
Justin Bengui will start in goal, although the only centre-back manager Diomede has consistently selected to play at the heart of defence has been Jeremy Jacquet.
Yoni Gomis did start alongside Jacquet last time out against Ukraine, so he could be given the nod for the final on Sunday.
Spain Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Jimenez; Perea, Keddari, Gasiorowski, Romo; Belaid, Andres, Hernandez; Rodriguez, Bravo, Diao
France Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Bengui; Kumbedi, Jacquet, Gomis, Soumahoro; Edoa, Benama; Aiki, Bouabre, Mayulu; Ngoura
We say: Spain Under-19s 2-1 France Under-19s (after extra time)
France's knack for scoring late goals will mean that even if Spain are leading late on, Les Bleuets will be confident of getting back into the game.
However, Lana's team will hold the belief that they can emulate the senior side and win the European Championship given they were so close to victory against France in the group stage.
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