Spain stay positive despite dropped points

It was a bittersweet evening for goalscorer Ander Herrera and his Spain team-mates after their debut at this UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark ended in a 1-1 draw with England.

Yes, in imposing their passing style on the Group B contest in Herning, Luis Milla's men often looked a side in the image of their senior counterparts, the world and European champions. Yet despite the 14th-minute lead given them by Ander's back-post header from a corner, and considerable territorial advantage, it was not enough for the victory.

Hence the mixed emotions expressed by midfielder Ander as he spoke to UEFA.com minutes after Danny Welbeck had plundered England's late equaliser. "It is a real pity because we were the better side," said the 21-year-old who has just moved from Real Zaragoza to Athletic Club in an €8.5m deal. "We practically controlled the ball for 90 minutes, so it's disappointing. But we have two games left and if we keep playing this way then the goals will come and we'll get through."

Winger Juan Mata also preferred to take the positives from Sunday's Herning Stadion encounter, with the Valencia CF player telling UEFA.com: "Despite our sadness about the result, we come away from this game with our confidence boosted if anything. The performance affirmed our belief in playing football this way. The longer the game went, the more relaxed and fluid we became and we were well on top. It is just a shame that one isolated attack from them denied us the win."

However, if Milla's side have an Achilles heel it is their failure to finish teams off. "When you don't tie the game up, you must suffer until the end," commented Ander on this lack of a clinical edge. For attacking midfielder Thiago Alcántara, the one goal Spain did find possibly came too soon also. "We scored early in the first half and perhaps weren't able to build on that platform as we should have done. In the second half we tried to keep control but one incident spoiled the great work we'd put in for more than 80 minutes," said the FC Barcelona tyro.

Next up for Milla and company, in Viborg on Wednesday, are a Czech Republic outfit elevated to top spot in the group by their 2-1 success against Ukraine. No time, then, to ruminate over the two points that got away here. "We had the chances to make it 2-0 but we couldn't put them away. They had a bit of luck and got the equaliser. But we have to stay positive," Mata emphasised. "We have one point and two games left to win in order to reach the semi-finals."