Spanish Under 18

Spain had to settle for second place once again in this season's Atlantic Cup. Luis de la Fuente's side and France had both won their first two games against USA and hosts Canary Isles, but with France scoring more, Spain had to win the last match. However they only managed a 0-0 draw in the end. (05.02.16)

Spain won back the annual Atlantic Cup after beating Costa Rica, hosts the Canary Islands and Portugal in their three group games. The youngsters were beaten to the trophy by Argentina last year after a seven year reign, but Luis de la Fuente’s side had no problems seeing off their opposition this time around. (06.02.15)

Spain’s seven year reign as winners of the annual Atlantic Cup came to an end when they were ousted by Argentina. Both sides had won their first two games against USA and hosts Canary Isles, but with Argentina scoring a goal more, the side managed jointly by Julen Lopetegui and Santi Denía had to win the last match. However they only managed a 1-1 draw against the South Americans, and had to make do with second place. (07.02.14)

Gran Canaria. Spain won the under 18 invitation Atlantic Cup for the seventh time in a row after taking seven points from their three games. The youngsters could only draw against Mexico in their first match, a first half strike from Atlético's Iván Calero cancelled out by a goal from Pineda late on. However a penalty by Barcelona's Sandro gave them a 0-1 victory against hosts Canary Islands in the second game, and they ended with a 2-1 win over Portugal,second half goals by Celta's Mina and by Sandro enough to ensure top spot once again. (01.02.13)

Spain's under 18 side won the invitation Atlantic Cup for the sixth time in a row after winning all three games 2-0. Real Madrid's Raúl de Tomas got both goals in the opening match against Denmark, and De Tomás and Manchester City's Denis Suárez scored in the subsequent victory against hosts the Canary Islands. That brought them up against Russia, who had also won their first two ties and who had a better overall goal difference. However Julen Lopetegui's side saw them off as well by the same scoreline, this time Real Sociedad's Iker Hernández and again Denis Suárez on the scoresheet. Atlético Madrid's Oliver Torres was named the player of the tournament, with Russia's Panyukov the top scorer. (03.02.12)

Spain's under 18 side won the XXXVII invitation Atlantic Cup in Las Palmas after winning two of their three matches. Julen Lopetegui's team started with a 4-0 victory over Switzerland, with two goals each for Valencia's Paco and Málaga's Juanmi. In the second match they beat hosts Canary Islands 1-4, with Real Madrid's Jesé opening the scoring and Paco coming on at half time to help himself to a hat-trick. That was enough to take the trophy, even though they lost the last game 1-2 to Mexico, Jairo's late strike not enough to overturn two earlier goals. (04.02.11)

Spain's under 18 side won this year's invitation Atlantic Cup, which was held in Maspalomas in the Canary Islands. Luis Milla's side came from behind twice to beat Denmark 3-2 in the opening game, all three goals coming from headers by Saborit, Isco and Morata. In the second match they beat hosts Canary Isles 2-0, Romero getting the first and Isco heading the second from Sarabia's cross. And although they were beaten 2-4 in the last tie against France, they finished above their opponents thanks to a better goal difference. (29.01.10)

Spain's under 18 side played a double header against France in Limoges on 19th and 21st May. Luis Milla's side lost the first game 1-0, but won the second by the same result thanks to a goal from Hércules defender Kiko. (21.05.09)

The Meridian Cup changed it's format this year, with two fixtures scheduled in Barcelona between combination sides from Europe and Africa. Three Spaniards were called up for the hosts, Barcelona's Bojan Krkic, Espanyol's Guillem Savall and Valencia's Aarón Ñiguez. Europe won the first game on 27th February 6-1 with two from Aarón and one fron Bojan, and were also victors by 4-0 in the second match on 1st March. (01.03.07)

Last season's under 17 side qualified once again to play the Meridian Cup, which takes place every two years between the top four U17 sides in Europe and the top four U17 sides in Africa. This year the tournament took place in Turkey, with the European sides running out overwhelming winners. Spain, France and Turkey won all four of their games, and Spain did not let in a goal throughout the competition. (11.02.05) Meridian Cup 2005

Spain's under 18 side are not scheduled to play in any official competitions this year, but they did qualify for the Meridian cup, played between the four best sides of Europe and Africa. The tournament took place in Egypt at the end of January. (08.06.03) Meridian Cup 2003