The Spanish under 21s book their place in the semi finals
The ‘rojiblanco’ De Gea saved a penalty in the 73 minute
The Spanish under 21s achieved their objective to qualify in first place from the group stages to book a place in the semi finals of the European Championships which is taking place in Denmark after beating Ukraine 3-0 in the last group game. However, the Spanish side couldn’t reserve their ticket to the Olympic games in London, after the Czech Republic beat England 2-1, meaning that Luis Milla’s team will have play for the their Olympic place in the semis against Belorussia.
The two ‘rojiblancs in the squad David De Gea and Álvar Dominguez couldn’t have done more, completing 90 minutes and displaying all their quality, with the keeper saving a penalty from the Ukrainians. The ‘rojita’ showed early on their superiority over the side managed by Yakovenko. The first goal from Spain came from Valencia’s Juan Mata after a pass from Ander Herrera in the tenth minute of the game as a result of a defensive error from the Ukrainian centre half Kryvtsov who lost his balanced and slipped. Milla’s men continued to threaten with chances from Javi Martínez and Adrián, with the later making it 2-0 in the 27th minute.
In the 71st minute the Ukrainians defender Garmasch was sent off for a foul on Juan Mata, with Mata putting away the resulting penalty. Two minutes later, De Gea fouled Zozulyn in the penalty area with the Croatian referring Strahonja pointing to the spot, but the ‘rojiblanco’ keeper made up for his mistake and blocked the penalty.
In the final minutes of the game Muniain and Bojan had a few more chances for Spain but the match end in a 3-0 victory to the ‘rojita’ with a semi final tie set up against Belorussia where the winner will also qualify for London 2012. UKRAINE, 0; SPAIN, 3 (Mata, 2 y Adrián). Ukraine: Kanibolotskiy, Butko, Rakitskiy, Kryvtsov, Selin, Chesnakov, Garmasch, Biliy (Golodyuk, 39’), Zozulya, Konoplyanka & Yarmolenko (Vitsenets, 81’). Spain: David de Gea, Botía, Domínguez, Montoya (Azpilicueta, 82’), Didac Vila, Javi Martínez (Parejo, 76’), Thiago, Ander Herrera, Muniain, Mata & Adrian. (Bojan, 80’). Yellow cards for Yarmolenko (45’), Garmasch (66’) & Konoplyanka (73’) for Ucrain & Montoya (69’) & De Gea (73’) for Spain. Straight red for Garmasch for Ucrania (71’). Venue: Herning Stadion. Goals: 0-1 (10’). Mata. 0-2 (27’). Adrián. 0-3 (71’). Mata (pen).
The two ‘rojiblancs in the squad David De Gea and Álvar Dominguez couldn’t have done more, completing 90 minutes and displaying all their quality, with the keeper saving a penalty from the Ukrainians. The ‘rojita’ showed early on their superiority over the side managed by Yakovenko. The first goal from Spain came from Valencia’s Juan Mata after a pass from Ander Herrera in the tenth minute of the game as a result of a defensive error from the Ukrainian centre half Kryvtsov who lost his balanced and slipped. Milla’s men continued to threaten with chances from Javi Martínez and Adrián, with the later making it 2-0 in the 27th minute.
In the 71st minute the Ukrainians defender Garmasch was sent off for a foul on Juan Mata, with Mata putting away the resulting penalty. Two minutes later, De Gea fouled Zozulyn in the penalty area with the Croatian referring Strahonja pointing to the spot, but the ‘rojiblanco’ keeper made up for his mistake and blocked the penalty.
In the final minutes of the game Muniain and Bojan had a few more chances for Spain but the match end in a 3-0 victory to the ‘rojita’ with a semi final tie set up against Belorussia where the winner will also qualify for London 2012. UKRAINE, 0; SPAIN, 3 (Mata, 2 y Adrián). Ukraine: Kanibolotskiy, Butko, Rakitskiy, Kryvtsov, Selin, Chesnakov, Garmasch, Biliy (Golodyuk, 39’), Zozulya, Konoplyanka & Yarmolenko (Vitsenets, 81’). Spain: David de Gea, Botía, Domínguez, Montoya (Azpilicueta, 82’), Didac Vila, Javi Martínez (Parejo, 76’), Thiago, Ander Herrera, Muniain, Mata & Adrian. (Bojan, 80’). Yellow cards for Yarmolenko (45’), Garmasch (66’) & Konoplyanka (73’) for Ucrain & Montoya (69’) & De Gea (73’) for Spain. Straight red for Garmasch for Ucrania (71’). Venue: Herning Stadion. Goals: 0-1 (10’). Mata. 0-2 (27’). Adrián. 0-3 (71’). Mata (pen).