ISTANBUL - Fresh from winning the Under-21 European Championship, Spain finds itself in familiar territory ahead of the Under-20 World Cup — as the favourite to win yet another title. However, coach Julen Lopetegui tried to play down the expectations as his team prepared for its first match on Friday against the United States. He said his concern is getting past an American team that he praised for its tactics and physical style of play. "We are only thinking about the next match," Lopetegui said. "The history or the future, we cant think about this. Our concentration is on tomorrow no more." Billed as a tournament where future stars often emerge — after Diego Maradona starred in 1979, Luis Figo in 1991 and Lionel Messi in 2005 - it comprises six groups of four teams. The top two and the four best third-place teams advance to a knockout stage that begins July 2. Group A is seen as the toughest, since it features Spain, the U.S., France and Ghana, all of which are capable of going far in the tournament. Other teams tipped for the latter stages include Asian champion South Korea in Group B, South American champion Colombia in Group C and CONCACAF champion Mexico, which beat the U.S. in qualifying, in Group D. African champion Egypt is another candidate, from Group E. Security has been stepped up at all seven sites following weeks of sometimes violent protests after riot police brutally cracked down on environmental activists who opposed plans to remove trees and develop Gezi Park in Istanbul. But the protests this week have given way to peaceful resistance and so far the protesters have not targeted the tournament. Lopetegui said his team would bring Spains trademark "tiki taka" style of short passes and controlled possession, which helped its Under-21s beat Italy earlier this week in the European Championship final. The senior side has used it to win the 2010 World Cup and two consecutive European championships, and is also a favourite to win the Confederations Cup which is underway in Brazil. Spains Under-20s will be brimming with confidence, having beaten another tournament contender Paraguay 3-1 in a warm-up after winning the Under-19 European championship. The team features Oliver who has been compared to Xavi Hernandez, as well as scoring threats Gerard Deulofeu and Jese Rodriguez — who was the top scorer at the Under-19 championship. "The objective is to win, like every goal you set yourself in life," said Oliver, who plays for Atletico Madrid. "It goes without saying that well be taking it step by step, but were not frightened of anyone. Nor do we think were better than anyone. We are Spain and we need to go out and take the game to our rivals." The Americans understand they are the underdogs but welcome the opportunity to play one of the favourites early on. "Spain is sort setting the standard worldwide for soccer now," U.S. coach Tab Ramos said. "Were not going to be the ones to solve that problem and counter what they have been doing. We dont just look at Spain. We look at our group. When we qualified for the World Cup, you are always hoping you can play some of the best teams in the world. We got an opportunity to play three of them in our group and we welcome that challenge." Ghana, one of three strong African teams along with Nigeria and Egypt, was on the same wavelength - particularly having won the tournament in 2009. "Its my wish to win the cup a second time," said Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh, who coached that 2009 side. "Sometimes it depends on what almighty God decides. We will work very hard to attain that. I wish over the grace of God that things work very well for us to lift the cup a second time." Brazil and Argentina — which have won eight out of the last 10 competitions — failed to qualify, leaving it to emerging power Colombia to try and earn South America another title. Colombia is looking for its first youth title and is well aware of the expectations back home. "It puts a lot of responsibility on you when people say youre favourites, but its out on the pitch where you have to show if its justified or not," coach Carlos Restrepo said, ahead of the teams opener against Australia on Saturday. England, meanwhile, will be looking to lift its fortunes when it opens against Iraq following a disappointing showing in the Under-21-European Championship. It was knocked out early, the latest setback for a youth program that has failed in past Under-20 World Cups. Its best finish was third, a decade ago. "My expectations and the first thing we are looking to do is qualify for the next stage," said Peter Taylor, who took over as coach following a stint with the Bahrain national team. 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(STATS) -- North Dakota States FCS dynasty wasnt halted Friday night because of a fluke play, an officials mistake or anything that could have people questioning the outcome.No, the top-seeded Bison wont be adding to their record streak of five consecutive FCS national championships because fourth-seeded James Madison simply was the better team in its 27-17 victory in the national semifinals before 18,282 at the Fargo dome.The Dukes (13-1) basically had to win the game twice. The CAA Football champion built a 17-0 lead in the first half and gave it all away, then overcame North Dakota States momentum in the second half to win going away at the Bisons usually invincible home field.In ending NDSUs 22-game playoff win streak, James Madison advanced to the national championship game Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas against the winner of Saturdays semifinal between Youngstown State (11-3) and No. 2 seed Eastern Washington (12-1).James Madison captured the 2004 FCS title -- 31-21 over Montana -- in its only other appearance in the final.I came in and Ive got a bunch of kids that bought in to what we were teaching and believed in the culture we were trying to create, and Ive got a great coaching staff, James Madison first-year coach Mike Houston said.Its play as hard as you can every snap, doing things right, its really a special bunch in there. I could not be more proud of the effort.NDSU (12-2) hadnt lost in the playoffs since a 38-31 overtime defeat at Eastern Washington in the 2010 quarterfinals, and it was 83-6 since the beginning of the 2011 national championship season. Yet, while the Dukes win was an upset, it wasnt a shocker. They havent lost to an FCS opponent, are on an 11-game winning streak and have outscored three opponents in the playoffs 147-46.Junior quarterback Bryan Schor threw for 242 yards and a touchdown to three different receivers. One went to 5-foot-11, 220-pound senior Khalid Abdullah, who looked like an NFL running back while gashing the formidable Bison defense with speed and elusive cuts for 180 yards on 23 carries.Defensively, linebackers Dimitri Holloway and Gage Steele were all over the field with 16 and 11 tackles, respectively. North Dakota State managed only 132 rushing yards -- 117 below what had been its season average.I thought we did a great job running the football up front, Houston saaid.dddddddddddd Khalid and our offensive line kind of got us going, we got some field position, we were able to control the ball and really keep North Dakota States offense off the field. And our defense played lights out tonight. What a performance.James Madison took the lead for good 20-17 on Tyler Grays career-long 45-yard field goal with 11:46 to play, and Schor extended it on their next possession by connecting with wide receiver John Miller for a 25-yard touchdown.Grays go-ahead kick nearly didnt happen. Bison defensive lineman Brad Ambrosius jumped offside when Schor was trying a pooch punt on 4th-and-19 at the Bison 33. The penalty moved the ball to the 28, and the Dukes let Gray try the field goal even though he had never kicked one longer than 33 yards.We came in, we knew it was going to be loud, we knew it was going to be a lot of adversity. But we expected to come in here and win, said Abdullah, whose 231 all-purpose yards were a career high.Good football player, NDSU coach Chris Klieman said of Abdullah. We missed some (tackles).When James Madison took a 17-0 lead in the first half, it handed North Dakota State the largest deficit of its FCS playoff history -- all this decade. The Dukes had touchdown drives of 87 and 72 yards, with Schor sandwiching touchdown passes to tight end Jonathan Kloosterman (14 yards) and Abdullah (10) around a 24-yard field goal by Gray.But it was the second straight week that North Dakota State erased a double-digit deficit, as it scored the final 36 points of a 36-10 win over South Dakota State in the quarterfinals last Saturday.NDSU got a much-needed touchdown just before the game reached halftime. Fullback Chase Morlock capped an 11-play drive with a 3-yard run which pulled the Bison within 17-7 with 1:36 left.They got the ball to start the second half and Cam Pedersen ended the possession with a 45-yard field goal. King Frazier later rushed for a 16-yard touchdown on their second possession, tying the game 17-17.But the fourth quarter -- and the game -- belonged to James Madison.North Dakota States first win of its first FCS championship season in 2011 was against the Dukes. Ironically, the winning streak ended against the same program. ' ' '