2023-07-05 21:12:02
Led by the score before the end of the first quarter of an hour, Spain then quickly accelerated to regain control and clinch their place in the final.
Three dots that’s all
1/ Bondarenko opens the scoring
2/ Spain accelerates in the second half
3/ Ninth final for Rojita
Final in Batumi on Saturday!
In short, Spain was superior
After a first alert on the cages of Anatoliy Trubin on an attempt by Álex Baena, Ukraine took advantage of a perfectly conducted counter to start the debate. Mykhailo Mudryk rushed in on the left side, eliminated Victor Gómez and served Artem Bondarenko who could quietly open the scoring. Barely time to celebrate, Ruslan Rotan’s men were caught, Abel Ruiz converting an excellent ball from Victor Gómez into a goal.
Oihan Sancet celebrates his goal as Spain go ahead at the breakUEFA via Getty Images
Spain could then put their mark on the game definitively and, seven minutes later, Oihan Sancet allowed Rojita to take the lead. She could then control a part which saw Ukraine offer itself some good situations which allowed Arnau Tenas to stand out, in particular on a double parade in front of Danylo Sikan and Oleksandr Nazarenko.
The scenario remained the same in the second period with Spain in control and a team from Ukraine who kept trying to get back into the game. Tenas managed to repel the best Ukrainian attempts before Antonio Blanco and Aimar Oroz came to shake the net of a helpless Trubin. Spain could handle the end of the game, Sergio Gómez giving an even greater momentum to their victory.
Spain will now aim for a sixth title on Saturday against England, their fourth in seven editions.
Photos, stats, match report Abel Ruiz, voted player of the matchUEFA via Getty Images
Player of the Match: Abel Ruiz (Spain)
He worked very hard to get behind the lines and offer solutions to his partners. Author of the first goal and very involved in two others, he played an important role in the transitions when his team won possession.
UEFA panel and technical observers
Key Stats
Spain will play their ninth final, two more than the total of their closest pursuers (Italy), and will be aiming for one victory more than the five also won by Italy, with whom they share the record. Spain equaled Italy’s record of 11 semi-finals and 12 top 4 finishes (there were no semi-finals in 2000). Abel Ruiz equalized at the last minute in the first duel between Spain and Ukraine in the this EURO U21 to allow his people to retain first place in Group B.Sancet is the only Spaniard to have started all five matches of the final phase.Like England, Spain have equaled the record of seven different goalscorers at the EURO U21.Spain’s fifth goal was their fiftieth in the event, qualifying included.Spain equaled Portugal’s record of five semi-final goals co-held by Germany in 2015 and by West Germany against the Soviet Union in 1982.
Compositions
Spain: Tenas; Victor Gomez, Paredes, Pacheco, Miranda; Blanco (Bernabé 75e), Álex Baena (Veiga 75e); Sancet (Aimar Oroz 59e); Rodri (Barrenetxea 59e), Abel Ruiz, Sergio Gomez
Ukraine : Trubin; Sych, Batahov, Talovierov, Vivcharenko (Braharu 61e); Brazhko (Zhelizko 61e), Bondarenko (Ocheretko 76e); Nazarenko (Kashchuk 46e), Sudakov, Mudryk; Sikan (Vanat 61e)
EURO U21 final
Spain will face England in the final at Batumi Arena on Saturday at 6 p.m. (8 p.m. GMT).
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