“Attack wins games, defense wins titles,” legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson once said. That was the case for England’s U21 national team, who on Saturday evening became European champions. CHAMPIONS: The England players with the trophy after the 1-0 victory over Spain. Photo: VANO SHLAMOV / AFP The English beat Spain 1-0 in the final and that means they are European champions – without conceding a single goal throughout the tournament. The Czech Republic, Israel, Germany, Portugal and Spain were all beaten without conceding a goal, and the goal difference ended at 11–0. The tournament’s first late goal was to come in dramatic fashion, seven minutes into extra time when Spain were awarded a penalty. But England goalkeeper James Trafford became the big hero when he saved the attempt of Spain captain Abel Ruiz. – I told everyone this morning that I was going to save a penalty. When it came to penalties, I knew I was going to save it. I told all my friends back home too. It was quite simple, says the goalkeeper hero to Channel 4 after the match. First at 39, Ruiz, who plays daily in Portuguese Braga, could not only force extra time and breathe new life into Spain’s EC hopes, but also become the championship’s top scorer had he scored. Instead, it ended with England’s first U21 title in 39 years and tears for the Spanish striker. FAR DOWN: Abel Ruiz. Photo: Tamuna Kulumbegashvili / AP The contrasts could hardly be greater for Ruiz and Trafford. The latter crowned a brilliant championship by becoming the great hero right away, and will probably become a full-time Premier League goalkeeper next season: The goalkeeper talent, who has played for age-restricted teams in Manchester City, will, according to The Athletic, be newly promoted Burnley’s first choice between the sticks next summer. A transition should be as close as possible. And now he and the English U21 national team are European champions for the first time since 1984. Also then, England beat Spain in the final. CHAMPIONS: Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes. Photo: Tamuna Kulumbegashvili / AP The news-broadcast final lived until the last kick of the ball, but the game’s only score came in overtime of the first half: Manchester City player Cole Palmer stepped up to take a free kick. His effort went off the back of Liverpool player Curtis Jones and found the back of the net behind a stunned Arnau Tenas in the Spain cage. Jones was credited with the score by UEFA. Norwegian referee Norske Espen Eskås judged the final and had enough to manage: Eight players received a yellow card, and several on the coaching benches did the same. In addition, Ashley Cole, part of the English support apparatus, was sent off during the 1st half. So did one from the Spanish support apparatus. BAD MOOD: Match leader Espen Eskås had enough to contend with during the EC final. Photo: Tamuna Kulumbegashvili / AP In the match, Morgan Gibbs-White and Antonio Blanco also received the red card. – I think they solved it quite well. It was a low-amp game with some situations that they had to deal with, says news’s football expert Carl-Erik Torp about the Norwegian referee and his assistants. – All in all, I think they land on their feet, concluded Torp. It was a match with many tough duels, tackles and pushes, but after the match there was great sportsmanship from both teams: the English tried to console the broken Spaniards and also stood as a guard of honor for the Spaniards as they went up the steps of the stadium in the Georgian city of Batumi to pick up their silver medals.
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The Spain captain broke down in tears after the wild overtime drama – England won the U21 EC – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
