Kolkata: Few would have fancied a European re-run as the Under-17 World Cup’s climax, but who will argue against England and Spain’s credentials considering their recent pre-eminence in youth football. England’s commanding 3-1 semifinal victory over mighty Brazil confirmed their fourth final appearance in age-specific tournaments in the calendar year. Spain’s pedigree spans a greater period, with seven European U-19 Championship trophies and three U-17 Euro titles (the most) since the turn of the century.
Just as England can flaunt their Fifa U-20 World Cup and Uefa European U-19 Champio-nship crowns won this year, Spain will remind the Young Lions of their U-17 Euro triumph on penalties against them in May. But for all their silverware Spain are yet to lay hands on the 4.6 kg U-17 trophy and regardless of who emerges stronger on Saturday, the world will get a new junior world champion team.
Considering England’s recent rich form, their previous best at the tournament were quarterfinal finishes in 2007 and 2011. Spain’s agony is greater, being three-time losing finalists (1991, 2003 and 2007). The present bunch of players, however will seek psychological stimulus from their 4-1 shootout win over England in Varazdin, Croatia, where majority of the current squad were in action.
Chief among them was England’s Rhian Brewster, who missed a penalty in the shootout in Croatia, and Spain captain Abel Ruiz, who converted his spot kick. Both have gone from strength to strength since the U-17 Euro final in May. Their battle for the Golden Boot is a juicy sub-plot in Sunday’s overall context. With seven goals, the Liverpool product sits in pole position for the Golden Boot. The Spanish No.9 is just one behind Brewster.
