Spain continued their dominance of youth competitions in 2007, becoming the first country to win both the UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the U19 title in the same year and also impressing on the world stage – although the challenge from this continent faltered at the last hurdle in the FIFA U-17 World Cup as well as at the U20 event.
Bojan decisive
Spain had claimed the European crown for U16s no fewer than six times and had also reached two of the first three U17 finals before finally getting their hands on the prize proper in Belgium in May. Juan Santisteban's side won Group A ahead of France, Germany and Ukraine, yet needed a late equaliser from Bojan Krkić against the hosts in the semi-finals to force a penalty shoot-out, which they edged 7-6. England had topped Group B in front of Belgium, the Netherlands and, contesting their first UEFA championship for ten years, Iceland, before a 1-0 victory over France – only to fall to a Bojan goal in the final in Tournai. "It's always a great joy to win a final," said Santisteban. "This is a big, big moment for these players. I will always remember this tournament and this team, as it is one of the best technical squads I have had. They have a lot of potential."
'Play to win'
Spain then triumphed again in Austria in July, becoming the first team to successfully defend the U19 trophy. Santisteban, standing in for Ginés Meléndez, guided them to the top of Group A above Greece, Portugal and the hosts while Germany and France overcame opposition from Serbia and Russia in Group B. Semi-final disappointment was in store for the latter two countries, however: a last-minute Andreas Lampropoulos header gave Greece a 3-2 win against Germany while Spain beat France 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes. One goal was again enough in the final, Daniel Parejo's clever free-kick giving Spain victory in Linz – and a fourth U19 title in six seasons. Santisteban, for whom this was an eighth European success, said: "We never play well in a final, as you just play to win. The most important thing is not to lose and that's what we did."
Final disappointments
The bulk of Spain's usual U19 squad, as well as coach Meléndez, were at the U20 World Cup in Canada, where their campaign was ended by the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals. Of Europe's other representatives, Scotland failed to get out of their group; Portugal and Poland lost to Chile and Argentina respectively in the last 16; and Austria went down 2-0 to the Czechs in the semi-finals. Argentina secured a record sixth crown by defeating the Czechs 2-1 in the final. The U17 World Cup was held in Korea Republic where Belgium finished bottom of Group E. France and England lost to Spain and Germany respectively in the quarter-finals, with Germany ultimately finishing third and Spain – without the suspended Bojan – succumbing 3-0 on penalties to Nigeria in the final after a goalless draw.
Conferences held
The new-look UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup was staged in Barcelona in the spring, with an all-star Europe squad beating their African counterparts – although the real focus was on education in the shape of a four-day conference involving coaches from all 53 UEFA member associations and 53 CAF members. In November, meanwhile, the ninth UEFA Elite Youth Football Conference took place in Cannes, being attended by more than 200 delegates and covering a wide variety of topics, including UEFA's youth coaching licence and the future of youth football on this continent.
2007 roll of honour
UEFA European Under-17 Championship (Belgium)
Winners: Spain
Runners-up: England
Semifinalists: Belgium, France
UEFA European Under-19 Championship (Austria)
Winners: Spain
Finalists: Greece
Semifinalists: France, Germany
FIFA U-17 World Cup (Korea Republic)
Winners: Nigeria
Runners-up:: Spain
Third: Germany
Fourth: Ghana
FIFA U-20 World Cup (Canada)
Winners: Argentina
Runners-up: Czech Republic
Third: Chile
Fourth: Austria
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