Perfect start for Spain

By Pete Sanderson at St Léonard stadium

Goals from Victor, Jaime Gavilán and Roberto Soldado gave Spain the perfect start to their 2004 UEFA European Under-19 Championship campaign, as they recorded a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Germany in the opening game of Group B.

Spanish flair
Victor put Spain on course for victory, guiding in a powerful 51st-minute header to give his country the lead. Substitute Gavilán extended their advantage, outpacing the German defence in the 73rd minute before sending a rasping shot beyond René Adler. Solado then put the game beyond doubt with two minutes remaining.

Heavyweight division
It had been billed as the battle of the heavyweights, with 2002 winners Spain pitted against the side who they overcame in that memorable final. With neither country's senior side setting UEFA EURO 2004™ alight in Portugal, this match provided a wonderful opportunity to forget the heartbreak of June and instead focus on some of the talents rising through the youth ranks.

Opening ceremony
A dazzling opening ceremony preceded the match, with the Swiss seizing the international baton from Portugal in style. Fribourg's St Léonard stadium may not have the capacity nor the state-of-the-art architecture of the Estádio da Luz, but few could sniff at the passion for the game as the pre-match festivities illuminated the stadium with kick-off looming.

Bright start
The excitement was soon transferred to the pitch with Armando Ufarte's Spanish side making an explosive start. Juanfran put the frighteners on the German rearguard with just five minutes played, finding Victor who in turn threaded a wonderful ball through to David Jiménez, but the forward's tame shot was well dealt with by German captain Adler. The same combination nearly unlocked the German defence minutes later - this time it was a challenge from burly centre-half Lukas Sinkiewicz which rescued Germany from what looked like a certain goal from the lively Jiménez.

German fightback
It was not until the tenth minute that Germany demonstrated some of the attacking verve which had seen them average five goals a game en route to the final. The impressive Michael Delura used his pace to escape down the right but his fierce cross somehow eluded team-mate Mario Gomez. Spain always looked dangerous, with winger Juanfran a constant menace down the right. His trickery set up a hatful of chances for his forwards - but German keeper Adler was in fine form.

Exciting finale
The first-half finished with a bang. First Spain came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock only for Victor to be denied at the vital moment by Adler. Then Germany showed the threat they posed on the counterattack, with Delura completing a sweeping move with a shot which flew agonisingly wide of the Spanish upright.

Headed goal
The deadlock was finally broken six minutes into the second half. Juanfran swung a dangerous free-kick into the area and Victor towered above the German defence before steering a header beyond Adler. With the floodgates open, Spain finally found their conviction in front of goal, with substitutes Gavilán and Soldado wrapping up an impressive win.