GOODNIGHT, AND NAE LUCK

Craig Swan reports from Poland as Scotland under-19 lose 2-1 to Spain in the European Championship final

SCOTLAND under-19 coach Archie Gemmill spoke of his pride in his players last night after they went down fighting against Spain in Poznan.

The Scots teenagers came agonisingly close to glory after two outstanding weeks in Poland, but suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to the tournament favourites.

Gemmill said: 'I could not have asked for anything more from the players. We dominated for long periods of the match. That was especially pleasing considering the 4-0 defeat they gave the boys in the previous match.

'But we got it tactically spot on and this was a different match. The boys should be proud.'

Senior national coach Walter Smith echoed those sentiments. He said: 'Of course it was disappointing we could not win the final, but I prefer to look at the performances during the whole competition. The squad made it through two very difficult qualification groups to make it and it was just unfortunate the final did not go our way.'

Naturally, the mood among the players was of dejection. Skipper Scott Cuthbert believes his team proved their doubters wrong.

He said: 'I think we have lifted the entire nation and showed that young Scottish players are not duds. We proved that we can play and we can go on to the senior set-up. But that does not change anything and we are absolutely gutted about losing the final. I think we were outstanding in the first 45 minutes and we had a real chance to win the trophy.'

Two goals from Alberto Bueno gave the Spanish youths the lead before Livingston striker Graham Dorrans struck back with just four minutes left.

Dorrans was unlucky moments later when his goal-bound effort deflected off a Spanish defender.

Taken from the Sunday Herald