Group B

The Big Match

Spain vs. Uruguay (July 1 in Burnaby) – The two group favourites meet each other in the opener and seeing how Jordan and Zambia are non-factors, this contest will likely decide first place. The most interesting individual matchup pits classy Spanish defender Gerard Pique against Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani.

Schedule

July 1: Jordan vs. Zambia in Burnaby
July 1: Spain vs. Uruguay in Burnaby
July 4: Uruguay vs. Jordan in Burnaby
July 4: Zambia vs. Spain in Burnaby
July 7: Spain vs. Jordan in Burnaby
July 7: Uruguay vs. Zambia in Victoria

What The Experts Say

John F. Molinaro, Editor, 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, CBC Sports Online:

Spain went undefeated through the qualifying round and as the defending Under-19 European champions, it boasts one of the best youth programs in world soccer. The Spaniards also have plenty of world-class players at this level, namely forward Alberto Bueno and central defender Gerard Pique.

That's not to discount Uruguay, who finished an impressive third in the South American qualifiers. The Uruguayans return to the U-20 World Cup for the first time in eight years and are hungry to prove they belong among the sport's elite.

With all due respect to Asian debutants Jordan and African side Zambia, they're just making up the numbers in this group.

Predicted finish: 1. Spain, 2. Uruguay, 3. Zambia, 4. Jordan

Mitch Peacock, Commentator, CBC Sports:

Spain enters this tournament as European champs going unbeaten at the UEFA U-19 finals in Poland last summer. Coach Gines Melendez has a high-scoring bunch led by a pair of Real Madrid players in striker Alberto Bueno and midfielder Juan Manuel Matta.

Joining the Spaniards at the head of the Group B class is Uruguay. The Uruguayans finished third in CONMEBOL qualifying to punch their ticket to the finals and this draw should see them move comfortably through to the knockout stages.

As for Zambia and Jordan, the two nations have done well to reach the World Cup but little is expected from teams untried at the highest level.

Predicted finish: 1. Spain, 2. Uruguay, 3. Zambia, 4. Jordan

Nigel Reed, Commentator, CBC Sports:

So often the underachievers on FIFA’s senior stage, Spain’s under-20 team can rightly claim to be among the contenders before a ball is kicked. They were the emphatic, unbeaten champions of UEFA’s qualifying tournament and have all the credentials to challenge in Canada.

Led by Manchester United defender Gerard Pique and with Real Madrid youngster Alberto Bueno in attack, the Spanish squads oozes quality from back to front and they’re firm favourites to win Group B.

Group rivals Uruguay aren’t the strongest South American team in the tournament, but in Serie A star Edinson Cavani they have a potent finisher which should help them join Spain in the latter stages.

Predicted finish: 1. Spain, 2. Uruguay, 3. Zambia, 4. Jordan

Group B

The Big Match

Schedule

What The Experts Say

John F. Molinaro, Editor, 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, CBC Sports Online:

Mitch Peacock, Commentator, CBC Sports:

Nigel Reed, Commentator, CBC Sports:

Teams in Group B

All Groups