EGYPT '97 - FIFA.com

Last time round, Europe
had little to celebrate at the
U-17 World Championship,
but on this occasion two of
the three teams participating
showed their best side, and
this despite the fact that the
cut-off date for players' ages
was 1 . 8 . for UEFA but 1 . 1 .
for FI FA (and the other confederations)
. This caused the
three teams in-volved to reform
their squads to some
extent . While Spain brought
in just six new players, Germany
included nine and Austria
no fewer than 10 . Spain
came through their group
without dropping a point
and then overcame brave resistance
from the host nation
in the quarterfinal . But the
semifinal meeting with Ghana
proved to be the end of the
line . Despite having less of
the ball, the Spanish managed
to perform well in this
match too . Taking a 1-0 lead,
they played a disciplined
game and held on to it for a
long time, before two goals
for the Africans turned the
match . Germany
began with only modest performances,
but improved
steadily, only to find themselves
running out of strength
in the semifinal and the playoff
for 3rd place . Coached by
Bernd Stbber, the team
showed its strengths in its organisation,
its disciplined
tactical play and in some fine
individual performances at
decisive moments (e .g . goalkeeper
Weidenfeller during
the penalty shoot-out against
Mali) . Taking part in the final
round of this tournament for
the first time, Austria did not
have a happy experience .
They were steam-rollered by
Brazil in their opening match,
and never had a chance
TOURNAMENT ANALYSIS
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Egyptian hospitality was evident everywhere . In the stadiums
too, players, officials and spectators all got a warm welcome .
L'hospitalité égyptienne était omniprésente . Jusque dans les
stades, les joueurs, l'encadrement des équipes et les spectateurs
étrangers se sentaient toujours les bienvenus .
La hospitalidad egipcia estaba presente por todas partes . Los
jugadores, funcionarios y espectadores fueron recibidos
calurosamente también en los estadios .
Die ägyptische Gastfreundschaft war überall präsent . Auch in
den Stadien wurden Spieler, Betreuer und Zuschauer stets
willkommen geheissen .