Preview: Germany Under-17s vs. France Under-17s - prediction, team news, lineups

The European Under-17 Championship reaches a conclusion on Friday evening as Germany Under-17s square off against France Under-17s in Budapest.

There were goals aplenty in their respective semi-finals earlier this week, and both nations have had to work hard to reach the tournament showpiece.

Match preview

Events such as this rarely produce teams playing each other on two occasions, yet that it what will transpire when Germany and France renew acquaintances later this week.

They had each prevailed in their opening Group C fixtures before Germany came from behind to register a 3-1 triumph in Balmazujvaros on May 20.

A double from Paris Brunner, with an effort from Robert Ramsak in between, during a seven-minute period in the second half helped Germany finish in top spot, five points clear of their upcoming opponents.

Nevertheless, their previous encounter should not necessarily be used to determine that Germany are the clear favourites for this contest, even if they have scored 16 times in just five games.

In the quarter-finals, they trailed Switzerland in normal time and on penalties before emerging victorious in the latter, while they twice overturned a deficit in a thrilling semi-final with Poland before posting a 5-3 win.

Brunner and Ramsak now have four goals apiece in this competition, in stark contrast to France whose goals have been shared around the squad.

Mathis Lambourde, Yanis Ali Issoufou and Tidiam Gomis have contributed two strikes each, all getting on the scoresheet in the final 17 minutes versus Spain to upset a nation that has reached two of the previous five finals.

Before that, a late penalty proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win over England, who reacted to claim the final World Cup qualification spot, and it feels that France have come through the tougher fixtures.

Aside from conceding three quick goals in the Germany match, France have been solid at the back, a factor which could prove decisive during what should prove to be an entertaining final.