Spain U21s comfortably brushed aside the challenge of Switzerland U21s to win the European Championships with a 2-0 triumph.
Goals in either half settle contest for tournament favourites
Spain Under-21s comfortably brushed aside the challenge of Switzerland Under-21s to win the European Championships in Denmark on Saturday.
The Spaniards justified their tag as tournament favourites with a goal in either half from Athletic Bilbao midfielder Herrera Ander and Barcelona youngster Thiago Alcantara.
Switzerland were yet to concede in the tournament before Ander guided in a beautiful cross from Didac Vila and were on the back-foot thereafter, despite starting strongly.
The Swiss conjured up a threatening spell late on, but Thiago put the result beyond doubt when he produced a spectacular 40-yard free-kick, catching out goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Possession
Spain, as expected, took control of possession early in the game but struggled to create chances with Switzerland defending well in the final third.
The Swiss pressing game appeared to be working, while they also posed a threat on the counter-attack, but Spain characteristically remained patient.
Valencia winger Juan Mata, one of the stars of the tournament, struggled to get into the game in the early stages, and it was in fact the Swiss who came closest to breaking the deadlock.
Xherdan Shaqiri cleverly allowed a cross to drop across his chest and, with his back to goal, he volleyed on the turn, only for Spain keeper David de Gea to fist over the bar.
The Manchester United-bound player had little to do beforehand, but the Swiss failed to take momentum from the chance and soon found themselves a goal behind.
Opener
Mata, who for once found himself with time and space on the ball, picked out Didac on the left flank, and the winger produced an outstanding cross in planting the ball on the head of Ander, who guided past Sommer with a firm header on 41 minutes.
It was the boost Spain needed just before the break and they showed no signs of letting their grip on the trophy slip with an assured second-half showing, of which they spent the majority in possession.
Penetrating without showing serious threat of a second, Spain suffered a slight wobble late in the second-half as the Swiss produced a spell of pressure in which Timm Klose and Amir Kasami went close to equalising.
Before their opponents could dream of a late turnaround, though, Spain doubled their advantage and it came courtesy of one of the goals of the tournament.
Italian-born Thiago, son of son of 1994 Brazilian World Cup winner Mazinho, displayed excellent technique in arrowing a pinpoint free-kick into the top corner from around 40 yards with nine minutes remaining.
Switzerland had no response, and merely delayed the inevitable for the remainder of the match as Spain added to their growing dominance of the international game.
