Irish gear up for David versus Goliath task

IRELAND’S U19s will step up preparations for tomorrow’s European Championship semi-final against tournament favourites Spain (kick-off 6:45pm) after yesterday’s rest-day in Bucharest.

While the team were recuperating from their battle against Romania for the point they needed to confirm their passage into the semis, most of Spain’s stars sat out their concluding fixture. That’s because the slick Spanish wrapped up top spot in their group with back-to-back beatings of Belgium 4-1 and Serbia 4-0. Ginés Meléndez’s fringe players failed to maintain their run against Turkey with a 3-0 defeat.

Come tomorrow night at Chiajna (6.45pm, Irish time), though, Paul Doolin’s side can be sure of facing a team stocked with players from Real Madrid and Barcelona.