Italy U-19 lost in Euro Champions Final

Image via WikipediaFrancesco Rocca's Under 19 boys were defeated 3-1 in the finals of the European Championship despite having more men on the pitch for a good part of the game. A well deserved win for the Germans, who played better.

JABLONEC (Czech Republic), 26 July 2008 - This time around, it's the Germans who win. Italy Under 19 team see their golden dream vanish. Germany win the finals of the Under 19 European Championship. And they do it leaving no room for doubt: the final score is 3-1, although it could have been more. It's a pity, because Francesco Rocca's lads have played almost one half of the game with the numerical advantage (after Jungwirth was sent off in the 36th minute).

DARN IT, PALOSCHI - Italy dominate at the beginning of the game: Paloschi, taking advantage of a gap in the German defence, prods a shot over Zieler that barely misses the goal. The Germans don't seem irresistible; but every time they advance, they create confusion in the Italian defence. The most "inspired" player in Hrubesch squad is Gebhart, a real playmaker who keeps drilling into the defensive lines.

BENDER, WHAT A GOAL - Half an hour into the game, Germany open the score. It all begins with a couple of kicks in the area: no one sends it out and Lars Bender lashes a left-foot shot that leaves Fiorillo motionless. A well deserved advantage, soon "levelled" by Jungwirth's dismissal, who knocked Okaka down twice in no time, earning a couple of yellow cards and the subsequent red card.

FEW CHANCES - Despite having more men on the pitch, Italy do not create great chances. Rocca leaves Poli on the bench at the half. The forward is replaced by Bonaventura, a centre-half. Few chances to score. Germany are well organized and they punish the Italians with their breakaways. Gebhart gives an excellent pass to Sukuta-Pasu, who catches Fiorillo by surprise with his shot. The game is almost over, although in the meantime Italy are down to ten men due to Gentili's dismissal.

THE GEBHART PUZZLE- The only Azzurro goal comes 15 minutes from the final whistle. Not randomly from Forestieri, who was the most toned down today, also considering the expectations about him. The German goalkeeper makes a save with his fists in front of Okaka; the ball is lost in the area and Raggio Garibaldi strikes it into an empty goal. This would be the time for a comeback, if it weren't for Gebhart (him again). Two minutes after the Genoa centre-half's winning shot, the playmaker from Monaco 1860 overtakes Bruscagin and heads in a free-kick, defeating Fiorillo. It's the final verdict, and our goalkeeper has to avoid a 4-1 in the 90th minute, with a desperate save, again against Gebhart. The game ends with a well deserved German victory. This time around, they were better than us.

Alessandro Ruta

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