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 NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM began its warm-up games before starting its Euro 2012 campaign with a 2 - 0 victory over SERBIA.
The Spanish starting line-up looked unfamiliar as the FC Barcelona & Athletic Bilbao players were missing due to their participation in yesterdays Spanish Cup Final. The line-up today was:
Casillas; Juanfran, Ramos, Albiol, Alba; Bruno, Xabi Alonso, Navas, Cazorla; Soldado & Negredo.
Debut for Juanfran of Atletico de Madrid who played the full 90 mins.
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| Adrian scores for Spain |
The first half saw a clear dominate Spainish team which was foiled by the Serbian keeper. There was a momentary scare when Serbs put the ball into the Spanish net , but the play was called off-side. That was the most they basically did all match as they looked defensive & on the watch.
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| Juanfran debut match |
The second half saw chances to the Spanish Team & more debuts:
David Silva (for Negredo), Adrian (Soldado), Beñat (Xabi Alonso) & Dominguez (Ramos)
later in the match:
Monreal (for Alba) Javi Garcia (for Bruno)
David Silva gave Spain more flow & more attacking push along with an active Cazorla & Jesus Navas. It was the latter who crossed to find ADRIAN who scored in the 64th min & later Adrian caused a penalty which CAZORLA scored in the 74th min.
Good game from Juanfran who was solid & sent a message to selector Del Bosque who will hand in the final list of players to make up the definite Euro 2012 Spanish Football Team squad tomorrow. No doubt Del Bosque will call up all the Barça & Bilbao Internationals & some now present will have to travel back home, but some or two will stay. Here will be the news.
Spain continues with warm-up games next week with their next match against South Korea on Wednesday
Original Source: Spanish Ftball Sprts /Continuing with the daily posts that puts the team photos (32 Nations) of each of the Groups in the upcoming FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 that starts on the 11th of June in South Africa. Already Groups A, B & C ( see below ) have been featured with GROUP D today & Group E on tomorrow.
GROUP D
GERMANY
AUSTRALIA
GHANA
SERBIA
