The Dutch under-nineteen footballers have reached the European Championship final for the first time in 55 years on Monday. Oranje defeated host country Romania 3-1 in the semi-finals.
Don-Angelo Konadu of Ajax opened the score after more than half an hour by tapping a cross into the goal with his shoulder. Subsequently, AZ talent Kees Smit made it 2-0 at the stroke of half-time, and Feyenoord’s Aymen Sliti put the 3-0 on the board shortly after the break. Romania’s 3-1 came too late.
In the European Championship final, defending champion Spain will be Oranje’s opponent on Thursday at 8:00 PM. The Spaniards settled with Germany in a true goal fest in the semi-finals: 6-5. The victory followed after extra time. After regular time it was 3-3.
The Netherlands has only reached the final of the European Championship for under-nineteen footballers three times before: in 1948, 1949 and 1970. Oranje lost all three finals. Coach Peter van der Veen’s team can therefore write history in Romania on Thursday.
Konadu scores curious goal with shoulder at U19 European Championship
AZ talent Smit seizes leading role
In Oranje, which had stunned in the group stage with a 3-0 victory over Germany and a 4-2 victory over England, some Eredivisie players play, including Givairo Read (Feyenoord), Smit and Mats Rots (Heracles). Promises such as Tygo Land (PSV), Dies Janse (Ajax) and Zépiqueno Redmond (Feyenoord) are also in the selection.
Of all those players, Smit is the biggest eye-catcher this European Championship. The top talent from AZ scored in every group match and distinguished himself as a playmaker. The midfielder was also the standout player in the semi-finals on Monday with a goal and an assist.
Smit was only not involved in the opening goal of Konadu, who scored after a difficult half hour from the Netherlands. The goal of the striker of Jong Ajax was rather curious. He promoted a cross from Ayoub Oufkir with his shoulder to a goal.
The referee visibly had some doubts about the goal, but acknowledged the goal after some hesitation. It only took six minutes until the 2-0 fell. Smit seized the leading role by shooting the ball into the short corner after a nice drag movement.
Sliti scores from beautiful counter-attack
Smit also distinguished himself after the break with an assist for the 3-0 of Sliti. The talent from AZ extended a splitting pass from PSV player Land, after which the broken Sliti expertly finished in the far corner.
The goal of the Feyenoorder seemed to be the decision, but Romania brought back the tension halfway through the second half with a remarkable goal. David Barbu shot the ball via the leg of Janse over goalkeeper Joeri Heerkens: 3-1.
Encouraged by almost ten thousand compatriots in the stands, Romania then tried to find the connection, but the Netherlands did not falter despite a somewhat nonchalant end. In the last minute of extra time, the Romanians did hit the post.
With four victories, twelve goals, only three goals against and at times attractive football, Oranje under 19 may call themselves a worthy European Championship finalist. In that final, Spain is the toughest possible opponent of the tournament.