Dutch under-19s lift first European title after beating Spain

Photo: Niels Pluto

The Dutch under-19 football team have secured their first ever European title, beating their Spanish peers 1-0 in Thursday evening’s final thanks to an own goal by goalkeeper Raúl Jiménez.

Kees Smit, a midfielder from AZ, was named the tournament’s best player and also finished joint top scorer with four goals. He shares that honour with Spanish striker Pablo García, who is on the books at Real Betis.

“We played a fantastic tournament,” captain Givairo Read told public broadcaster NOS after the match. “We showed that we are a good team and that we can play good football. I am incredibly proud.”

The result also marked a memorable farewell for head coach Peter van der Veen, who had already announced before the tournament that he would leave the team after the European Championships.

Earlier in the week the Dutch under-21 squad lost their semi-final match 2-1 to England, having last taken the title in 2007.

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