Europe's teen talent shines in France

With the World Cup exposing a number of ageing European teams in need of new blood, a glimpse of the immediate future can be seen at the 2010 UEFA U-19 Championship, taking place in France at the moment.

Reigning champions Ukraine, who hosted the 2009 edition, failed to qualify, but hosts France have stormed into the last four, trouncing the Netherlands 4-1 and Austria 5-0. Joining them from group A are England, who beat Austria 3-2, drew 1-1 with France and lost 0-1 to the Dutch.

Although the French are the tournament's highest scorers, top of the points charts are surprise, surprise, Spain, the only unbeaten team. The Spanish U19s defeated Croatia and Portugal 2-1 before a comfortable 3-0 dismissal of Italy.

Top of the goal charts with three strikes are Liverpool's Spanish prodigy Daniel Pacheco and Croatian midfielder Zvonko Pamic, who plays for Freiburg in Germany.

UEFA U-19 Semi-Finals Tue 27th July

SPAIN v ENGLAND Saint-Lo 1600
FRANCE v CROATIA Caen 1900

Final Fri 30th July

(c) Sean O'Conor & Soccerphile

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