ACADEMY manager Jon Pepper said Burnley Under-18s had already exceeded expectations as they prepare for a shot at silverware today.

The Clarets have progressed to the final of the prestigious Generali Cee Cup tournament in Prague and they face Everton at 5pm BST tonight.

Danny Cadamarteri's side beat Slavia Prague and Canadian outfit Prostars in the group stage before dispatching Turkish team Altinordu on penalties in the last four.

That has set up today's Battle of Britain final after the Toffees thumped FK Sarajevo 6-0 in their semi-final, but Pepper feels it has been already been a productive trip.

“We came into the tournament with no real expectations. We’re still in pre-season and hadn’t played 90 minutes,” he said.

"We thought we’d be doing some training and getting a couple of games under our belts, so we’ve really exceeded expectations.

“But everyone has been very focused and wanted to do well with a new coach.

“We have got 13 first-years who have wanted to impress and the boys have done very well.

“There has been a real momentum within the Academy over the past 10 months or so with a feeling that it can be a pathway to a career and I think that has helped with the focus and everything that has gone on out here.

“We’ve got a good group of kids who have bonded very well and everything has been done very professionally, including the sports science, nutrition and analysis."

Today's final will be shown live on TV in the Czech Republic and it gives Cadamarteri a chance to get one over on his former club, having only taken over Burnley Under-18s this summer when Michael Duff was promoted to the Under-23s.

"It’s a high-profile competition out here,” said Pepper.

"Everton are one of the strongest Academies in the country so it will be a tough game and we might have to bring in some fresh legs.

"But you don’t get many opportunities to win a trophy.

"Not many of the group have been in this position so let’s go for it and see how we do.

"It would be a good way to start to the season – although I think it has been anyway.

“It shows we are moving forward in a positive way. The groups are getting stronger and I think going into Category 2 status we will be okay."