Scotland head to final date thanks to Elliot's strike

It was a magical moment for Scottish football and set up a date against Spain, who defeated the Scots 4-0 earlier in the tournament, but that did not halt the celebrations last night after the Czechs succumbed in the searing heat of Grodzisk.

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It is the first time since 1982 that a Scotland side has reached the final of the competition and it was richly deserved after a polished performance in the intense atmosphere. The only setback are the suspensions of Steven Fletcher and Robert Snodgrass, both strikers, for the final after they collected yellow cards last night.

Gemmill was forced to alter the side after the suspension of Charlie Grant and, as expected, Greg Cameron was a straight replacement as a midfield anchor.

Scotland raced out of the blocks, and should have taken the lead inside 100 seconds after Elliot’s reverse pass released Fletcher in the box. However, Scotland’s talisman, normally so reliable, was betrayed by a poor first touch and the ball rolled into the arms of a grateful Radek Petr.

Things got worse for Fletcher moments later when Herve Piccirillo, the referee, decided to book him for diving, when he seemed to stumble through a challenge from Jan Simunek. The Hibernian player looked to the heavens after seeing the yellow card as, with 85 minutes of the semi-final to go, he knew he wouldn’t play in the final due to suspension.

Despite the tense atmosphere, the game was open and entertaining as chances flowed at either end. Andy McNeil, the goalkeeper, bailed out Scott Cuthbert with a top-class save when the captain hesitated and allowed Martin Fenin a sight of target.

Martin Stretsik missed with a glancing header and was then superbly closed down as he was about to shoot by Jamie Adams, of Kilmarnock, after Petr Janda had created both openings.

However, Scotland were making excellent opportunities of their own. The best fell to Michael McGlinchey, the Celtic midfield player, after inventive, combination play from Fletcher and Elliot.

The former’s flick allowed Elliot to slide McGlinchey through on goal, but he hit his effort against the legs of an exposed Petr. It was a golden chance and the Scotland bench knew it, but still the openings came.

Simon Ferry’s measured shot from 20 yards drifted agonisingly wide of target and Petr punched clear a free kick by the busy Fletcher, who hadn’t let his impending ban bog him down.

Miraculously, after all the action, the opening period ended goalless, although McNeil had to block a snapshot from Petr Pavlik to atone for missing a Stretsik corner seconds beforehand.

The match was there for the taking after the interval, but Fletcher failed to reappear after a head knock sustained just before half-time meant he stayed in the dressing-room. Robert Snodgrass deputised.

It did not matter. The Livingston player’s first act was to win a foul that Cuthbert swept to the far post for the head of Adams. The defender’s header back across goal was met by Elliot who nodded home via the inside of Petr’s right-hand post from six yards to spark celebrations just two minutes into the second-half.

The Czechs upped their efforts as they set about hauling themselves level. Marek Jungr was bravely thwarted low by McNeil and Ondrej Mazuch blazed high and over as the fightback started.

Scotland had become a counter-attack threat, but they concentrated on their defence and they managed to do so comfortably.

Piccirillo couldn’t keep out of the limelight, though, and ended Snodgrass’s final dream with a booking, but a late miss from substitute Ivan Hasek ensured a final date for Scotland.

SCOTLAND: McNeil, Cave-Brown, Wallace, Cuthbert, Ferry, Elliot, Fletcher (sub: Snodgrass, 46min), McGlinchey, Conroy (sub: Dorrans, 87), Cameron (sub: Kenneth, 78), Adams. Substitutes not used: Fox, Gilmour, Reynolds.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Petr, Donalek, Pavlic, Svec, Simunek, Mazuch (sub: Hasek, 73), Jungr, Fenin, Mares (sub: Jeslinek, 78), Janda, Strestik. Substitutes not used: Frydrych, Blazek, Kudela.

Referee: H Piccirillo (France).

SPAIN REIGN

SPAIN will attempt to lift the Under-19 European Championship trophy for the third time in five seasons in the final against Scotland in Poznan on Saturday after a controlled display earned them a 5-0 victory over Austria in the semi-final in Wronki yesterday.

Goals from Jeffrén Suárez and Javi García gave Spain a 2-0 lead at half-time, before Juan Mata, García again and Alberto Bueno completed the rout inside the final 20 minutes.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk