BY JAMES ROSS – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
The UEFA Under-21 Championship closed out Tuesday with a match between returning champions Spain, and Italy. It was to be a fitting end to an excellent tournament. Spain versus Italy. Two nations with plenty of pedigree in this particular tournament and, indeed, the senior World Cup itself, as they are the last two champions of that particular tournament.
The Spanish had to go in as favorites, the stellar passing and movement that personifies Spanish football (at this point in time) rampantly evident throughout Spain’s previous matches leading up to the final. However, one can never count out an Italian side in a final, as the legendary Italian fortitude and tenacity had been a hallmark of their victory over the Dutch in their semi-final, with Holland controlling much of the play but failing to effectively break the Italians down, and the late goal by Fabio Borini vaulting the Italians into the final match.
One thing that’s nice about under-21 championships is the level of enthusiasm and the pure pace of the play of the youthful combatants. This match certainly reflected that, as both came out energetic and involved, and it didn’t take long for the first goal. A lovely move started by Isco and finished by captain and Manchester United target Thiago Alcantara, and it was six minutes in, and Spain had their lead. But the Italians rallied, and a lovely long ball by defender Guilio Donati found striker Ciro Immobile, just in behind the Spanish defence, and his deft first touch and equally clever lob left the Italians level only three minutes on.
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Subsequently, the game settled in to the pattern that seemed pre-destined, with Spain dominating possession, and the Italians looking to counter attack when regaining possession, hoping to catch the compactly situated Spanish side with direct balls over the top to the ever dangerous Immobile. It took until just past the half hour for another goal, and it was Thiago Alcantara once again restoring the Spanish in the lead. Taking a pass with a lovely touch off his chest left the ball at Thiago’s feet ten yards out dead center, and his powerful left footed drive was too much for Italian keeper Francesco Bardi to handle, and Spain were up 2-1.
The Spanish side extended their lead from the penalty spot minutes later, Thiago once again slotting home. It must be said that the penalty decision, in my opinion, was extremely harsh, as there was minimal contact after the Italian defender had won the ball. I fear the valiant last ditch tackle is becoming a thing of the past in soccer, and it’s sad. Nonetheless, Spain headed into the interval 3-1, with Thiago scoring the first single match hat trick in Euro 21 history (the finals were a two match home and away until the early 1990s).
The second half began with two stellar opportunities for Spain to extend their lead, with Thiago being denied by Bardi, and then Isco narrowly missing the net with a shot from just inside the 18 yard box on 54 minutes. The fate of the match was left beyond doubt in the 64th minute, when a second penalty was awarded to Spain for a foul on right back Martin Montoya by Italy’s Vasco Regini. Thiago gamely left the penalty honours to compatriot Isco, and Isco made no mistake from the spot, giving the Spaniard’s an insurmountable 4-1 lead. A fine goal by Italy’s Borini, unleashing a drive into the bottom corner past Spain’s David De Gea with 10 minutes left, was Italy’s consolation on the evening, and as the final whistle blew to signal full time, the inevitability of Spain’s destiny was brought to conclusion.
Spanish football has reigned supreme on the world stage for the past half dozen or so years, and it certainly doesn’t look like it is going away anytime soon. The Spanish combine the intense focused resilience and concentration one would expect of the Germans, with the technically captivating and artistically dynamic qualities of nations like Brazil and Argentina. It’s a formula that will allow Spain to continue being considered the top soccer nation on this planet for many years to come. With individuals like Thiago Alcantara and Isco ready to hit take center stage amongst the planet’s best footballers, one can only speculate how talented the next crop of Spanish talent will be, and how those next stars in the making will shine in the 2015.