AS his young lions prepare to tackle England's nemesis, Germany, Under-16 coach Dick Bate insists winning isn't everything.

After kick-starting their Under-16 Championship campaign with a defeat to Italy, England have recovered with wins over Switzerland and Hungary to top their group.

England's reward is a quarter-final clash with the Germans to be staged tomorrow at Middlesbrough's Riverside stadium, ko 3pm.

But while former York City man Bate admits he would love to see England go all the way to the final on May 6 he maintains lifting the trophy is not the ultimate goal.

"We are looking forward to it as long as it goes on for us and we are looking forward to playing against some high class teams and high class players," he told the Evening Press.

"But we are preparing the young lads to become international footballers more than preparing them for winning a particular tournament."

England have never won the tournament in its near 20-year history and despite the advantage of being at 'home' Bates insists it will be a tall order for his side to break England's duck in the competition.

"We have never won it. I think the furthest we have got is to the semi-finals, and it would be great to do well on home soil," he said.

"You would hope it is an advantage playing at home but the pressure of winning games in your own country rather than abroad is not quite the same."

And with the nations' gaze focusing in on young shoulders, Bate is perhaps doing his bit to lift the burden of expectation from his young guns.

"They are a good set of lads but I wouldn't say they are an outstanding team or a flair team. They are hard-working and functional," he said.

York, the city and its football club, have had a decisive hand in Bate's life and footballing development.

During the 1960s he trained to be a teacher at what is now the College of Ripon and York St John.

As a student he represented England Universities but also made a number of appearances for York City reserves.

Bate spent three years as director of youth football at Leeds United, had a spell as national coach in Malaysia and has also worked as assistant manager at Notts County and Lincoln City.

Bate's old stamping ground of Bootham Crescent ground will host the quarter-final between favourites France and Russia on Monday (6.30pm).

Russia held on for a 0-0 draw against Netherlands at York last night before a crowd of around 700 to book their place in the last eight.

With Turkey beating Poland 1-0, the Dutch boys, one of the pre-tournament tips to win the competition, were eliminated.

France, the only side to have won all their group games, thrashed Finland 5-0 at Grimsby to set up Monday night's meeting with Russia at York on Monday.

Scotland missed out, losing 1-0 to Croatia in Group D last night which means the Croatians will play Turkey in the quarter-finals at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe, on Monday night.

The Turks kept their nerve to beat Poland 2-1 at South Leeds Stadium to top Group B.

Updated: 10:45 Saturday, April 28, 2001