That goal came after an hour and was due to the Spanish goalkeeper Raul Jimenez, who totally looked at a harmless, low pass from right back Givairo Read. With his foot he worked the ball in his own goal and that blow no longer came over Spain. And so it became an orange party in Bucharest!
Impressive EC with resounding figures
Orange had already flown through the European Championship in an impressive way by dealing with the group phase with sounding figures with Germany (3-0), Norway (2-0) and England (4-2) and then also host country Romania (3-1) in the semi-final.
But Spain, which was already the best last year during the European Championship in Northern Ireland, was a different cake. That soon became apparent during the final in Bucharest. Van der Veen’s team was never troubled in the first half, but it himself founded far too little danger.
Kees Smit again worth gold: Orange under 19 to the European Championship final
Pole and bar
In the second half, both teams bit more. For example, Spain hit the pole and bar in two minutes, while the big AZ talent found Kees Smit with a sharp free kick and Sparta-attacker Ayoub Oufkir was released for Jimenez, who was just a little faster at the ball. On the other hand, keeper Jesse Heerkens got away very well when he took too much time during the structure and the Spaniards could almost pick the ball from his foot. Heerkens, outblinker during this tournament, picked up the ball just in time.
After an hour, the Orange did struck through Read, but actually goalkeeper Jimenez, who unintentionally got the goal. The Spaniards were excited, but not yet defeated. For example, Alejandro Montserrate headed up close to goal from close by, but Heerkens was able to bring salvation. Orange decided to withdraw and lurk on the counter in the final phase. That even brought danger for three minutes, when Ofkir Hard shot on goal in an outbreak, but Jimenez did save this time. In the injury time, the goalie again prevented the Spartan to score freely in front of his nose. On the other hand, a penalty kick escaped, when Smit did not hit the ball at all and his opponent did. But he escaped.
For example, the Orange squad crossed the line against the frustrated Spaniards and Van der Veen and his team can look back on a memorable tournament and the party can be celebrated in Bucharest until the late hours.