Netherlands edge Spain to take maiden title

Vivianne Miedema's 21st-minute effort at the Ullevaal Stadion was enough to earn the Netherlands their first UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship title.

• Netherlands become eighth country to win U19 title
• Miedema scores only goal, a chip on 21 minutes
• Dutch No9 finishes finals top scorer with six goals
• García denied in golden double chance on 76 minutes
• Crowd of 4,054 watch at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadion

Spain were on the front foot for much of the game but, in Miedema, the Dutch possessed a forward able to gorge on slim pickings. Her cool finish against the run of play midway through the first half was ultimately all that separated the sides, with Spain unable to muster a reply in a dominant second half.

The Netherlands celebrate Miedema's goal©Sportsfile

A golden fortnight of record temperatures in Oslo is coming to an end and the players were apparently grateful for what shade they could get as they spent much of the opening period in the shadow of the stands in the Dutch defensive third. First-time finalists the Netherlands looked nervous, gripped by uncertainty – Miedema is not afflicted by such doubts.

With 21 minutes gone the excellent Kim Mourmans released her on the inside right channel and, spotting Sara Serrat off her line, Miedema almost nonchalantly chipped in for her sixth goal of these finals. This time it was Spain who were rocking slightly, but they soon regained a steady footing and ended the first half as they started it – edging proceedings.

Chances were few and far between, however. Andrea Sánchez blocked Jennifer Vreugdenhil's clearance, the ball rolling just wide, while an under-pressure Leire Baños fired just over following a corner. Jorge Vilda's side were soon in the ascendancy after the restart, too, slowly ratcheting up the pressure on a Dutch team weakened by the loss of Jill Roord to injury.

©Sportsfile

Still opportunities were at a premium, with Dominique Janssen marshalling an impressive rearguard action. Eventually, Alba Redondo found a way through 14 minutes from time, squaring for Nahikari García on the penalty spot. Jennifer Vreugdenhil saved her first effort and, though the keeper was beaten with the rebound, Danielle Kuikstra was in just the right place. The Dutch defence were all game.