Spain and France face each other this Sunday (8:00 pm/RTVE Play and UEFA TV) in the grand final of the European Under-19 Championship to be played in the stadium Windsor Park in Belfast (Northern Ireland). The combination of Jose Lana was in the final round of the tournament after losing Italy in extra time (0-1, thanks to a goal from Paul Fortuny in the 100th minute).
They will again face the French team, which they shared in the group stage, in B. France was first with 7 points, while Spain He achieved second place with five points. Both teams met on the third and final day. The rivalry ended in a two-goal tie. Saïmon Bouabré, the young pearl of Monaco, He put the Gauls ahead with a fine goal in the 13th minute, Dani Rodriguez and Simo Keddari They brought the score back after the break (65′ and 74′), but the ‘bleus’ ended up equalizing with a goal at the horn. Valentin Atangana (90′).
It also helped two teams qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 in Chile. This is the fourteenth participation of Spain in a European Under 19where he has a record eight continental titles.
La Rojita had problems in its defensive area, conceding a goal in every game except the semifinal against Italy. It is measured in a France which, for his part, ended his rivalry against Ukraine (1-0) in the semifinals, thanks to the goal of Valentin Atangana in the 61st minute.
So, both teams are undefeated in the grand final of European of the category, so a good match is expected where the details will be decisive for the final result.
Spanish coach José Lana, I declare that “We have shown that we can adapt to different situations. In the semi-finals, we were a little tired in the last group stage match against France, but we managed to win. “All the players are important in the game, I don’t think there are major areas that we should focus on.”
In its part, Gerard Hernández, one of the main pieces of La Rojitacommented that “the final is very important for us and we are very excited. I am very proud to be the captain of this team and I will do my best for the team. “We are grateful for all the support we receive here in Northern Ireland, the fans are our number twelve players,” stand up
Bernard Diomède, coach of Francestated that “we expect a different Spanish team from the one in the group stage and a different experience. It will be a different scenario, with different players and at a different stage of the competition. For these players, the -reaching the final is an achievement, but winning a final is a real achievement. All the players wanted to play, and our team unity throughout the competition was vital. It is important that we maintain the freshness and unity that we have. The team is always united,” he stressed.
Finally, Valentin Atangana, captain of France, He assured that “winning the trophy for our country will fill us with pride. Spain is a tough team, we drew 2-2 in the group stage and we are looking forward to the opportunity to play against them again. “I think the key to winning this game is how we move the ball and how we attack.”
Possible lineups:
Spain: Raúl Jiménez; Perea, Simo Keddari, Yarek Gasiorowski, Julio Díaz or Muñoz; Belid, Chema Andrés, Gerard Hernández; Dani Rodríguez, Iker Bravo and Mella
Selector: Jose Lana
France: Mirbach; Kumbedi, Sarr, Jacquet, Elyaz Zidane or Soumahoro; Amougou, Bouabré, Atangana; Tidiam Gomis, Kroupi or Ngoura and Aiki
Selector: Bernard Diomede
Referee: Vassilis Fotias (Greece)
stadium: Windsor Park (Belfast)
Time: 20:00 (RTVE Play/UEFA TV)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
