'Sense of fury' keeps Spain alive

A thrilling victory has kept Spain on course for the finals of the 2006/07 UEFA European Under-21 Championship as they seek their first qualification since 2000.

Thrilling finish
Iñaki Sáez's side won 4-2 in dramatic circumstances against Slovakia last night to confirm their place in Friday's draw in Nyon for next month's 14-team two-legged play-offs. Also through are Italy, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, France and Bulgaria with another seven countries to be confirmed this evening. The Netherlands, the title-holders, will stage the 2007 finals next summer and have therefore not had to qualify.

Important
For now, Spain are just happy to be in the hunt. Having failed to make the play-offs for the 2006 finals, the two-time champions were eager not to miss out again. Although a solitary point was needed, Spain twice fell behind to Slovakia last night in Alzira before a frantic finish ensured a 4-2 success. Sáez said: "The most important thing was the team's recovery and how they played during the closing stages to resolve a difficult situation. Football can be strange in such moments, it can punish or reward you. This is a new team and we're still at half speed."

'Sense of fury'
Real Zaragoza midfielder Alberto Zapater said the win has boosted optimism within the Spain camp. "It was a heart-stopping match where things got very complicated," the 21-year-old said. "We wanted to score the first goal, which would have given us confidence, but it never came and we paid the price. But the team is stronger now because this type of game brings everyone together. There was a sense of fury, about how unfair football can be and what it nearly cost us."