It was a must winner encounter. Spain had to defeat Serbia today to qualify for the Euro 2015 Championships & the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The final result was a hard blow for the current U-21 European Champions after losing at home 1 - 2.
Same story as the away match at Serbia that finished 0 - 0, solid Serbian defence that waited patiently as Spain made mistakes under their frustration & impatience. However, this time around luck also abandoned the Spaniards with the first Serbian goal in the 31st min which was a "stupid" own goal from Spanish defender Saul. It was uphill from here as Spain bounced off the effective Serbian defence & grew increasingly frustrated.
To honour the Spanish U-21 team they never gave up & in the 91st min Sergi Roberto equalized the game. With the euphoria of the moment, Spain went all out for a second goal to attempt to win the encounter while the "knife was hot". They perhaps sinned of being over-zealous & while Spain was attacking Serbia counter-attacked & exploited the spaces in defence to allow Kostic to score the winner in the 93rd min.
Unfortunate for Spain which will be disappointed after receiving the double blow of Euro 2015 & 2016 Olympic Games elimination. Congratulations to Serbia for their well planned & executed performance, victory & qualification.
Details:
SPAIN - 1:
Kepa ; 2. Manquillo , 4. Sergi Gomez , 5. Muniesa (Oliver min. 70), 3. Gaya ; 6. Saul ; 8. Sergi Roberto , 10. Isco ; 11. Deulofeu (Sarabia min. 64) , 9. Munir & 7. Muniain (Sandro, min. 56).
SERBIA - 2:
Dimititrovic ; 22. Stojkovic (Filipovic min. 65), 16. Cirkovic, 5. Velljkovic, 13. Petrovic; 21. Smic, 2. Kovacevic, 7. Radoja (Mijailovic min. 85), 11. Kostic ; 10. Causic &; 8. Pesic
(Cavric min. 72).
GOALS:
0-1 min. 31 Saúl o.g., min. 91 1-1 Sergi Roberto, 1-2 min. 93 Kostic
The Spanish U-21 National Team drew away 0 - 0 to Serbia in their Group U-21 Euro 2015 match. The result puts qualification on hold as the decider will be played by both again next Tuesday here in Spain (Cadiz).
Spain dominated the encounter but found the uneven & difficult turf not to their Football liking, while Serbia put up a defensive wall which saw how Spain kept bouncing off. However, Spain relied tonight more on individual efforts when perhaps a more team oriented approach may have been better.
Next Tuesday, Spain has another opportunity to secure their U-21 Euro 2015 presence when they meet Serbia again in Cadiz, on home turf. But it is not a "done deal", as seen tonight, Serbia can be a tough nut to crack.
SERBIA - 0:
Serbia: 1. Dmitrovic; 3. Petkovic, 6. Pantic, 5.Veljkovic, 13. Petrovic; 21. Srnica (7) (Cavric min. 68), 7. Radoja, 2. Kovacevic (6) (Srdan min. 82), 11. Kostic, 10. Causic &; 8 Pesic (7) (Uros min. 87).
SPAIN - 0:
1. Kepa; 2. Manquillo, 4. S. Gomez, 5. Muniesa, 3. A. Moreno; 6. Saul, 8. S. Roberto, 10. Isco; 11. Deulofeu (5) (Sarabia min. 68) , 9. Morata & 7. Muniain (6) (Oliver min. 77).
The Euro U-21 2015 qualifiers have been settled today with Spain matched up with the very difficult Serbia. The upcoming qualifiers will be in home & away format scheduled the 9th & the 14th of Octobre.
The winners of the Groups will qualify to go into the 2015 Euro U-21 Champions Finals to be held in the Czech Republic. The Top 4 European Nations of this tournament will also qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) Olympic Games.
According to local Football observers Serbia was one of the teams to avoid. Their squad has Top U-21 players gaining experience in Major European Leagues like Djuricic (Mainz), Jojic (Borussia Dortmund), Markovic (Liverpool FC) & Mitrovic (Anderlecht). Spain themselves are full of experienced youngsters & Serbia will not be to glad either.
Euro U/21 qualification home & away match-ups:
Serbia-Spain
Slovenia-Italy
France-Sweden
Denmark-Island
England-Croatia
Holland-Portugal
Ukraine-Germany
The UEFA European U-21 Finals will be held in the Czech Republic in 2015 between the 15th & 30th of June, & Spain needed just 1 point to mathematically secure their presence & place in the Championship.
This afternoon the U-21 Spain Football Team defeated 0 - 1 Hungary & got more than the needed point, but three.
Less than entertaining match of Football with Spanish Team dominance. The Hungarians were more defensive creating the occasional chance for themselves. Spain got an early penalty in the 3rd min after Deulofeu was fouled but Captain Muniain missed.
The winner came in the 66th min when Saul Ñiguez broke the Hungarian defensive wall from an outside shot the found the net.
Match line-ups & details:
Hungary 0: Jova; Szolnoki, Kelemen, Tamas, Farkas (Vass, min. 46); Windercker (Barath, min. 75) Poor; Bese, Vecsei, Bacsa (Markvart, min. 69); & Ugrai.
Spain 1: Pacheco; Manquillo, Gómez, Muniesa, Bernat; Saul Ñíguez; Deulofeu, Sergi Roberto, Denis Suarez, Muniain (Sarabia, min. 65); & Munir El Haddadi (Ayoze Pérez, min. 76).
Goal: 0-1, min. 66: Saul Ñiguez.
