Spain successfully defended their European Under-21 Championship throne for the second time in succession after they defeated Italy 4-2 in a footballing masterclass in Tuesday's final.
A pair of goals from captain Thiago, along with lone strikes from Isco and Koke crowned la Rojita
 junior champions of Europe, despite Ciro Immobile and Fabio Borini's 
attempts to cause an upset in Jerusalem, but the scoreline heavily 
favoured the Italians who were dealt a harsh lesson in the basics of 
possession play.
The Spaniards showed their intent earliest and 
it was aptly rewarded when a fine interchange between Isco and Alvaro 
Morata down the left flank resulted in the Real Madrid striker crossing 
the ball onto the head of an unmarked Thiago in the box.
But
 moments later, just when it appeared that Italy were reeling from 
falling behind so prematurely in Jerusalem, a raking pass dropped at the
 feet of Immobile who delightfully lifted the ball over a hapless David de Gea on the half-volley.
It
 was game on between the giants of the U21 game, yet it was the 
Spaniards led by Morata - top scorer in the tournament with four goals 
prior to kick-off - who were more likely to find the back of the net 
again.
Morata first saw a powerful header denied by the 
fingertips of Francesco Bardi, before latching onto Thiago's 
through-ball a split-second later and firing again at the Brescia 
goalkeeper.
 Nonetheless, he was to be the recipient of the 
honour.The onus switched away from the Castilla hit-man as the first 
half gradually came to a close, and Koke was the next to test Bardi via 
Isco's free kick.
 The Malaga star's free kick rebounded to the 
midfielder, but his flick was stopped by Bardi's leg. The end-to-end 
nature of the opening spells soon returned, and it was Alessandro 
Florenzi who lifted the ball over his marker and hit a volley that took 
several bounces before being parried away by De Gea.
But on the 
half-hour mark, Spain deservedly regained their lead when Koke sent in a
 lobbed pinpoint pass onto the chest of Thiago, and the Barcelona 
starlet evaded Luca Caldirola before creeping a low shot over the line.
Eight
 minutes later, Cristian Tello peeled inside from the left flank but was
 brought down by Giulio Donati in the box, allowing Thiago the chance to
 grab his second from the penalty spot through the middle of Bardi's 
goal.
The second half started with a pair of snapshots from Isco 
and Florenzi to get the juices flowing, but Spain were undeniably on top
 as they continued to claim the lion's share of possession and dazzle 
purists with their intricate passing game.
Spain then found a 
deserving fourth - again from 12 yards out - when Martin Montoya's legs 
were clipped by Vasco Regini, and it was wantaway No.10 Isco who was 
entrusted with the burden of sending Bardi the wrong way.
However,
 Italy did show signs of an improvement with time fast becoming a 
precious commodity, and they managed to salvage some pride with just 10 
minutes remaining as Borini scored in his second consecutive match 
following an intelligent one-two with Lorenzo Insigne. 
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Spain successfully defended their European Under-21 Championship
Written By alexanderkidz on June 19, 2013 | 6/19/2013 12:07:00 pm
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