Bueno leaves Scots in the dark

Scotland under-19 1 / Spain under-19 2
Craig Swan at Miejski Stadium, Poznan

SCOTLAND Under-19’s hopes of lifting the UEFA European Championship trophy were cruelly crushed by Spain last night in Poland.

Archie Gemmill’s young side had fought superbly to reach the showpiece occasion in Poznan and gave a display of skill and courage against the tournament favourites. Yet the silverware went to Spain after a piece of brilliance and a tap in from Real Madrid’s Alberto Bueno broke the hearts of Gemmill’s kids.

Graham Dorrans’ late header gave Scotland brief hope, but it wasn’t enough, despite a frenetic finish.

The performances of the side on their road to reaching the final had put the smile back onto the long-suffering faces of Scotland fans, but, unfortunately, overcoming Carlos Melendez’s young matadors proved a bridge too far. Nevertheless, despite their abject disappointment, Gemmill, coach Tommy Wilson and the players should feel an enormous sense of pride as they reflect on their efforts in the coming days and have next year’s Under-20 World Cup Finals in Canada to look forward to.

In the stadium pre-match, there was a real mixed sense of occasion. This was a European Championship final and, to be fair, the setting was impressive, bar the building work going on behind one of the goals. However, on the concourses around the ground, barbeques smoked all around and refreshment outlets sold, among other things, waffles and rum, to give it more a cup final on a town’s gala day feel.

None of the players, though, were treating this as anything other than serious business. Strikers Steven Fletcher and Robert Snodgrass sat disconsolately in the VIP section – in differing seats from their original ones after firstly occupying those reserved for senior national coach Walter Smith and SFL president John Smith – due to suspension ruling them out of the showpiece occasion.

That forced Gemmill into the reshuffle of both tactics and personnel. Having stuck rigidly to a 4-4-2 gameplan throughout the tournament, the coach opted to start Calum Elliot as a lone striker with Michael McGlinchey and Simon Ferry asked to offer the Hearts attacker support from a midfield five.

After suffering a 4-0 reverse against the Spanish teenagers nine days earlier in their group encounter, the Scots were under no illusions of the size of their task and knew they desperately needed to repel their Iberian opponents in the crucial early exchanges. Melendez’s men required just 17 minutes to earn a lead in the previous encounter, but Gemmill’s team passed that initial landmark with comfort.

Indeed, it was the Scots who impressed more in the early stages with the tactic of flooding the midfield earning a healthy slice of possession. And, but for the agility of Spain goalkeeper Antonio Adan, Elliot would have given Scotland a dream start after tigerish play from Ferry allowed the striker a shooting opportunity in the area. The Hearts youngster made good connection with his right foot from 16 yards, but the Real Madrid custodian made a smart low save.

With Celtic’s Charlie Grant back from suspension and playing a pivotal role, Spain were hustled out of their rhythm and slick passing which were the hallmarks of their four performances en route to the final. Liverpool defender Antonio Barragan summed up their frustration midway through the first-half when, with no forward pass available, he attempted to score from fully 45 yards. Hibs goalkeeper Andrew McNeil gave that effort the look of contempt it deserved.

They did begin to gain momentum as half-time loomed, with Antonio Calvo, Francisco Garcia and Diego Capel having half-hearted efforts before a stunning volley from midfielder Mario Suarez dipped viciously, and narrowly, over McNeil’s crossbar.

Scotland, though, were still a threat and Elliot had the ball in the net near half-time. However, the ‘goal’ was ruled out after a dubious offside call against Ryan Conroy.

Perhaps it was first feel of a raindrop on their skin after 14 days of sweltering sunshine since arriving in Poland, but the Scots looked at home on the big stage. But sadly, Spain needed just five minutes of the second period to ruin all the good work. Inventive Bueno worked a slick one-two with Suarez before sending a delicious lob over McNeil from outside the area.

It was a piece of magic from the teenager, although Grant’s lingering look at his goalkeeper suggested he felt it was saveable. Nevertheless, the setback rocked Scotland and McNeil was offered praise moments later saving superbly from Calvo.

Manchester United’s Gerard Pique then cannoned a header against the crossbar as Spain sensed the kill. The Old Trafford defender finally got his reward 20 minutes from time, though, when his low centre was diverted home by Bueno to put the lights out on Scotland’s chances.

Dorrans’ late header from Elliot’s cross set up a grandstand finish, but it ended it heartache for the Scots.

Scotland: McNeil, Cave-Brown, Wallace, Grant, Cuthbert, Ferry, Elliot, McGlinchey, Cameron (Dorrans 74), Conroy (Gilmour 80), Adams. Subs not used: Fox, Kenneth, Reynolds.

Spain: Adan, Barragan, Valiente, Pique, M.Suarez, Calvo (J.Suarez 73), Garcia, Capel (Granero 85), Canella, Mata, Bueno. Subs not used: Bernabe, Crespo, Diaz, Pedraza, Elustondo.

Referee: K.Jakobsson (Iceland).

Taken from the Sunday Herald