Spain Too Good For Swiss Under-21s

Spain’s Under-21s football squad have defeated Switzerland 2-0 in the Uefa European Football Championship on Saturday.

Ander Herrera put the Spanish side in the lead in the 41st minute in the match in Aarhus, Denmark. A second Spanish goal in the 81st minute left no doubt that Spain would be crowned champions.

The goal by Herrera was the first against the plucky Swiss squad in the tournament.

Didac Vila placed a cross onto the head of a charging Herrara who slipped between the two Swiss centre backs at the near post and pushed the ball past Swiss keeper Yann Sommer.

In the second half, the young Spaniards took near total control of the match, playing tic-tac-toe with the ball, rarely allowing the Swiss any possession.

But it was Spain’s second and final goal which stunned the Swiss. With a free kick from 45 metres out, Thiago Alcantara surprised Sommer who had abandoned his line by drilling a hard shot over the Swiss keeper’s head into the corner of the net.

Spanish dominance

Spain now have their third title at this level, to add to the world and European crowns already in their possession.

By qualifying for the final Switzerland qualified for the 2012 London Olympics.

Before the final game, the president of the Swiss Football Association, Peter Gilliéron, praised the team and its coach.

“This result [getting to the final] is very satisfying and a sign that we are on the right track.”

Gilliéron called coach Pierluigi Tami a first-rate tactician. “He’s incredibly good with people and he has kept his modesty. These are qualities which I think are important in this business.”