Spain's domination of the international football scene
continued as their Under-21 side picked up the European
Championship with a 2-0 win over Switzerland in
Denmark.
Having watched their senior side win the 2008 version, and
follow it up with the 2010 World Cup, Spain's youngsters would have
felt under pressure to deliver this summer, but were by far the
best team in the tournament and walked away with the title after a
headed goal from Ander Herrera and a stunning free-kick from
Thiago.
It only took five minutes for Spain to get their first chance as
Javi Martinez showed his strength and pace in the middle of the
park to exchange passes and release Adrian. However, the striker
who had scored five goals already in the tournament, could not
control the ball first time and was forced to cross to no-one in
the centre as he was pushed wide.
Spain quickly settled into their possession game and were faced
with eleven Swiss players in front of them every time they got on
the ball.
As expected, most of Switzerland's attacking play went through
the impressive Xherdan Shaqiri, but some tight marking by Herrera
limited his early chances to a free-kick that was blasted well over
the bar and a few runs that came to nothing.
However, after half an hour, the first real chance came for
Switzerland. A looping corner was not cleared and, after using his
body to shield the ball well, Shaqiri stung the palms of Spain
goalkeeper David de Gea with a shot that was arrowing into the top
of the net.
Not to be outdone, Spain's slick passing move almost opened the
scoring at the other end, as Herrera flicked the ball on to Juan
Mata, who slipped it sideways for Thiago to smash a shot just wide
of the post.
The former two then combined five minutes before the half for
the game's first goal. Mata found space in the centre to clip the
ball across to the left-back Didac, who curled a glorious cross
onto the head of the advancing Herrera. Swiss goalkeeper Yann
Sommer was left clutching thin air and then had to pick the ball
out of the net for the first time this tournament.
After the break, Admir Mehmedi and Innocent Emeghara combined
well to create an opening that was quickly closed down by the
backtracking Martinez and, with only eight minutes gone in the
second half, Swiss coach Pierluigi Tami brought on Mario Gavranovic
and Amir Abrashi for Emeghara and Fabian Frei. Playing a pressing
game, the Swiss upped the tempo and looked to hurry the Spanish
players when on the ball.
Spain, though, continued to threaten and right-back Martin
Montoya found space to take on Gaetano Berardi. As Montoya slipped
the ball past his man, Berardi seemed to catch him from behind in
the box, but the officials were unbowed despite pressure from the
Spain bench.
Only a few minutes later, Herrera's well weighted ball found
Montoya again and Berardi hacked him down for the game's first
yellow card.
Martinez, key at both ends, sent Montoya free again down the
right and his curling cross was headed away from Adrian at the last
minute. And, from the resulting corner, Alberto Botia headed over
from six yards out having lost his marker.
Soon after, a clever free-kick from Shaqiri was helped on and
found substitute Pajtim Kasami in a good position, but he was
leaning back and saw his header fly over. Then Spain's aerial
weakness was exploited again as Timm Klose got free and directed
his header inches past the post.
Switzerland were made to pay for not taking their chances. As
they switched off with Thiago standing over an 81st minute
free-kick, goalkeeper Sommer was caught off his line by the
Barcelona midfielder as his incredible lob found the net from 35
yards.
It was a moment befitting any final and the son of Brazilian
World Cup winner Mazinho's goal was the last meaningful action of
the game.