Iraia strikes gold for Spain

By Kevin Ashby at Pohjola Stadion

Spain produced one of the all-time great shocks in the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship as they defeated a Germany side which had previously looked invincible and impregnable 2-1 in today's final in Vantaa.

Iraia winner
Germany were overwhelming favourites to win a fourth European crown having advanced to the final by scoring 23 goals, seven of them against Spain in their Group A decider last Monday. Jade put the first mark in their goals against column in the 29th minute and Iraia scored the winner in the 52nd after German captain Annike Krahn had levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Lucia restored
Spain coach Ignacio Quereda maintained his habit of alternating his goalkeepers, meaning Lucia was restored in place of Maria, the only change to the team that beat Italy 1-0 in their semi-final. Germany's side was unchanged for the fifth match in succession, so the same XI that defeated Russia 8-0 in their semi-final started again.

Rinkes save
Karolin Thomas had the first shot saved in the fourth minute, clipping the ball into Lucia's midriff after the German central midfield player's industry had won a corner which right-winger Melanie Behringer swung in. Spain also posed a threat out wide, Natalia turning Anne van Bonn after being found by Miriam and forcing goalkeeper Tessa Rinkes to turn behind a
low shot bound for the inside of her right-hand post.

Jade goal
Rinkes had to show her agility again in the 20th minute, pulling off an even better stop to deny Iraia who was first to the ball after the keeper had failed to gather a cross under pressure from Nuria. Spain were the more attacking side and deservedly opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Nuria and Iraia were involved again, the latter chipping in a cross which Jade ran on to before lobbing the ball high over Rinkes for a splendid goal.

Skill and steel
Germany's reply was almost instant as Susanne Kasperczyk's free-kick found Krahn unmarked, but the captain could only head straight at Lucia. Behringer then shot just over from range after Ruth had been booked in the 32nd minute for upending the subdued Mittag. Simone Laudehr was next to threaten, combining skill and steel near the by-line to defy two Spanish defenders and send in a low ball which just eluded Mittag.

Script not read
As added time neared its conclusion, Krahn struck an unlikely equaliser for Germany, beating Lucia from close range at the second attempt after being found at the near post by Behringer's free-kick. If the leveller threatened to change the complexion of the game, then Spain had not read the script - Quereda's team starting the second half as they had the first.

Sterling stop
In the 52nd minute Iraia and Jade linked well down the right-hand side before the forward was felled by Krahn 25 metres from goal. Iraia stepped up and curled a wonderful free-kick round the wall and high into the German net. Rinkes then denied Jade twice in the space of eight minutes, the latter a sterling stop which kept her side in the match after Miriam had unselfishly played in the striker.

Fine tackle
Only a fine 83rd-minute tackle by Elena Hauer prevented a clear sight of goal opening up for Jade and the striker headed the resulting corner just wide. Germany pressed as time ticked by but as Peggy Kuznik's shot on the turn drifted wide so did their hopes of success in Finland - Spain were the champions of Europe for the first time.

Most Valuable Player: Miriam (Spain)
Attendance: 2,600