SPAIN 2 Bueno 51, 71
SCOTLAND 1 Dorran 87

GLORY in failure has been the staple diet of Scottish international footballers since time immemorial, but rarely can there have been more valiant losers in dark blue than the present national under-19 team, beaten by Spain by the odd goal in three in last night's European Championship final in the Polish city of Poznan.

The dark horses of the tournament almost pulled off the shock of matching Spain, the hot favourites who had set a record for goals in European finals at this age group. But the Spaniards survived a late scare to take the trophy for the third time in five years.

A late goal from Graham Dorrans of Livingston gave the Scots hope of sensational comeback after two second half goals from Real Madrid's Alberto Bueno looked to have given Spain a comfortable victory, especially as Scotland had tired late on in previous matches in the championships.

But the Scottish youngsters showed amazing fighting spirit to rattle Spain in he Miejski Stadium. Indeed, had Dorrans converted a last-minute chance the result might well have gone Scotland's way in extra time as they were clearly on a roll.

Every one of the Scottish lads as well as manager Archie Gemmill and coach Tommy Wilson can take huge credit from their performance in the tournament. And there is a tangible benefit as their showing means that the Scots have now qualified to contest the under-20 World Cup finals in Canada next year.

However, last night's defeat means that Scotland have still not triumphed at any level in the European championships since 1982, when the competition was held at under-18 level and players like Paul McStay, Pat Nevin and Jim McInally were in the victorious squad.

It really was mission impossible for Scotland. Spain had sailed through the tournament and were hot favourites, not having crushed Scotland 4-0 in the group stages, hammered Austria 5-0 in the semi-finals and had already achieved the record tally for an under-19 or under-18 finals of 15 goals.

With Steven Fletcher of Hibs and Robert Snodgrass both out as a result of picking up a second yellow card in the semi-final victory over the Czech Republic, Calum Elliot of Hearts had to carry the burden of being Scotland's sole striker in a 4-5-1 formation.

Scotland made a very bright start. Despite being on the receiving end of that hammering by the Spanish just nine days ago, there were no signs of the boys in blue being overawed by their opponents, and some delightful passing took them frequently into Spain's half of the field.

The best early chance fell to Calum Elliot whose shot from 16 yards was well saved by Antonio Adan.

The Spanish youngsters needed no lessons from their elders in cynical play. Elliot in particular suffered some hard tackles, including a forearm in the face as he looked set to burst clear. Icelandic referee Kristin Jakobsson failed to take action, however, even after a Elliot was scythed down by a wild kick from Gerard Pique of Manchester United.

Spain gradually began to exert pressure as the first half wore on, yet the Scottish defence was stubborn.

Scotland had the ball in the net after 39 minutes. A brilliant run from Ferry set up Conroy for a low cross which Calum Elliot calmly tucked away, but the Romanian female assistant referee, Irina Mirt, had already signalled that Conroy had strayed offside.

Elliot then had a fine header well held by Adan, but Spain almost took the lead when Antonio Calvo burst clear on the right and sent in a low shot which McNeil did superbly well to parry away.

The Hibs' goalkeeper did well to save from Diego Capel and had no chance with a volley from Mario Suarez dipped over the bar. But Andrew Cave-Brown of Norwich City, Lee Wallace of Hearts and Celtic's Scott Cuthbert, the Scottish captain, were resolute in defence.

The second half saw Spain really turn the screw, and the Scots could have no complaint when Bueno put the Spaniards ahead with a quite brilliant goal in 51 minutes. A slick one-two with Suarez put Bueno into space just 18 yards from goal and his exquisite chip sailed over McNeil and into the goal.

Spain could have gone further ahead but McNeil foiled Calvo's effort and Pique's header came back off the bar before Bueno doubled the advantage in 71 minutes, pouncing on Pique's cut back to smash the ball home from four yards.

But how the young Scots battled back. Simon Ferry of Celtic scorned an easy chance after his Parkhead team-mate Michael McGlinchey also missed a half-chance. Then Dorrans came on for Greg Cameron of Dundee United and Brian Gilmour of Rangers replaced Celtic's Ryan Conroy. The substitutions really paid off as first Gilmour almost scored from a free kick, and then Dorrans set up a grandstand finish with his goal in 87 minutes, the score coming from a powerful header off Elliot's cross.

Dorrans had the chance to equalise in injury time but snatched at his shot which went straight to Adan and Spain held on for victory.

Scotland U19: McNeil, Cave-Brown, Wallace, Grant, Cuthbert, Ferry, Elliot, McGlinchey, Cameron (Dorrans, 74), Conroy (Gilmour, 79), Adams.

Spain U19: Adan, Barragan, Valiente, Pique, M Suarez, Calvo (J Suarez, 73), Garcia, Capel (Granero, 83), Canella, Mata, Bueno.

Referee: K.Jakobsson (Iceland)

Taken from the Scotsman