Spain fell in the final of the U17 European Championship against Germany, who could only overcome it on penalties (2-2 [3-2]). Same cruel outcome that the generations that disputed the 2014, 2016 and 2017 editions have already experienced and that leaves ours with a silver hanging around their neck in its continental premiere.
The intensity with which the Germans jumped onto the green caught the Spanish off guardthat in the attempt to become owners of the leather they left spaces behind that could have cost him more than one dislike. Alara Sehitler smashed a ball into the crossbar -after hitting Sara Ortega- after a good individual play by María Alber, who would repeat two minutes later, coming to dribble past Sofía Fuente and sending her shot into the side of the net. The third time was the charm for the Germans. Svea Stoldt picked up a rejection inside the area to sneak the ball into the cage with a right hand close to the post.
Spain comeback
Spain tried to react, but with one less gear the slope became steeper if possible. He had the ball and he didn’t know how to take advantage of it because Germany fell back very well and came out with speed on the counterattack. He had to be a set piece as ours balanced the score. A foul thrown by Vicky López from the left side was headed by Marina Artero at the far post at the bottom of the net. The captain became the eleventh Spanish footballer to score in this final phase, which is a record in the competition. The first part was consumed with the German Mathilde Janzen leaving the field on a stretcher and wearing a collar in the neck after a collision that came out badly.
Kenio Gonzalo moved chips in the intermission giving entry to Carla Camacho and Raquel igo and Spain had their first chance after five minutes with a pass between the lines from Nina Pou to Vicky López who, after breaking her mark inside the area, shot at the ball. hands of the rival goal. It was Carla Camacho who scored Spain’s second goal after the hour mark when she headed in a long cross from Marina Artero and taking advantage of a resounding mistake by Eve Boettcher going out for grapes.
Alber works the German miracle
After the goal, Germany had to stretch and opened holes in their defense that Spain came close to taking advantage of in the boots of Luca Corrales, Carla Camacho and Nina Pou. However, it was the Germans who capitalized on their faith, leveling the match with two minutes to go with a Mara Alber’s right hand with a thread that made a perfect parable to avoid Sofa Fuente’s stop and sneak into the cage.
The final would end up being decided on penalties, where the ghosts of the past reappeared in Spain. Eve Boettcher became a heroine by stopping the launches of Nina Pou, Raquel igo and Vicky López. Silver tears for a generation that paints very well.
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