Having never qualified for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship
finals before they took their place in Luxembourg this May, Russia's well-organised
team secured their first post-Soviet men's national team title.
Hosts fall
Hosts Luxembourg were in their debut UEFA final tournament but none of
the eight 2005 contenders, including holders Turkey, qualified. Luxembourg
were given a tough Group A opener against Spain, and in front of a venue
record 3,550 fans in Hesperange the hosts were blown away 7-1, with 15-year-old
substitute Bojan Krkic striking a hat-trick. Meanwhile Russia defeated
skilful Hungary 1-0 thanks to towering defender Sergey Morozov's late
header. Russia then lost 3-0 to Spain but recovered to defeat improving
Luxembourg 2-0, a score that took them through as Hungary had followed
a 4-0 win against the hosts with a 2-0 Spanish reverse.
Rampant Germany
Germany, who had the best results in qualifying, started Group B with
a 4-0 win against Belgium as the Czech Republic beat Serbia and Montenegro
2-1 thanks to a half-time reshuffle and two Tomas Necid goals. The Czechs
then battled hard to hold Germany 0-0, and although Darko Karadzic's last-gasp
equaliser against Belgium gave Serbia and Montenegro a brief reprieve,
they had no answer to a first-half Manuel Fischer hat-trick in a 4-0 loss
against Germany. A 3-1 win against Belgium left the Czechs second, Necid
again scoring twice to join Bojan and Fischer on four.
Favourites fall
However, Necid was also booked for the second time and missed the semi-final
against Spain. Bojan was finally given a start, but a stunner from Necid's
replacement Tomas Pekhart gave the Czechs a 31st-minute lead. Spain lost
Roberto Garcia to a red card and Jan Vosahlik's chip secured the Czechs
a 2-0 win just before the hour. Form was upset again when Germany lost
to Russia with a late goal from previously off-form substitute Aleksandr
Prudnikov. Spain beat Germany for third place on penalties after Bojan
and Fischer had each come off the bench to score.
Russian delight
The final at Luxembourg's national Josy Barthel stadium only sparked into
life when Prudnikov struck early in the second half. Pekhart equalised
deep into injury time, and although Aleksandr Marenich made it 2-1 to
Russia in extra time, Necid - a substitute due to illness - swiftly headed
his fifth goal of the tournament, equalling Bojan and Fischer, whose tally
including qualifying was a record 13. So to spot-kicks, and impressive
Russia goalkeeper Evgeni Pomazan made the vital save from Petr Wojnar
and substitute Evgeni Korotaev converted the winner. Captain Vadim Gagloev
declared: "It is such an unbelievable feeling, it's fantastic."
