U21: Spain v Italy

10 October 2006: Spain U21 1-2 Italy U21 [Agg: 1-2] (Palencia)
Italy won 2-1 in Spain and on aggregate to ensure the European Under-21 Championship's most successful nation will be attempting to win a sixth crown in nine tournaments next summer.

After a goalless first match in Modena last Friday, first-half efforts from Giorgio Chiellini and Riccardo Montolivo secured the Italy's ticket for the finals and rendered Roberto Soldado's strike for Spain - in the inaugural match at the Nueva Balastera Stadium in Palencia - as nothing more than a consolation.

It also means the Azzurrini could come up against the side who knocked them out of the 2006 finals in the 2007 edition, as the Netherlands will host the finals.

With Pierluigi Casiraghi's side not having conceded a goal in qualifying before tonight’s match, Spain knew they were in for a tough task once Chiellini had given Italy a 24th-minute lead. The Juventus defender, arguably his country’s best player in the recent championship in Portugal, lifted a left-footed lob over Spain goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya from outside the penalty area to break the deadlock in style.

Having played brilliantly in the first leg, Moya was beaten by another fine goal nine minutes later as Montolivo beat him with a stunning volley. The goal left Spain needing three to progress, and home coach Inaki Saez brought on Soldado for Javier Arizmendi early in the second half as his side’s task grew forlorn. The Osasuna striker reduced arrears by heading in Javier Garrido's cross just before the hour, although Spanish hopes were ended as Javier Flano was sent off four minutes from time.

The European Under-21 Championships will take place from June 10 to 23, 2007.


Other 2nd Leg Results
Bulgaria 1-4 Belgium [Agg: 2-5]
Bosnia-Herz 1-1 Czech Republic [Agg: 2-3]
Germany 0-2 England [Agg: 0-3]
Israel 1-0 France [Agg: 2-1]
Portugal 3-0 Russia [Agg: 4-4 - Portugal qualify on away-goals rule]
Sweden 0-5 Serbia [Agg: 3-5]