What: 2013 European Under-21 Championship Semi-final
Who: Spain U21 vs Norway U21
When: Saturday 15th June, 2013, at 16:30 UK Time
Where: Netanya Stadium, Netanya, Israel
Spain Dominate Group of Death
Spain are making serene progress, as they always seem to, having won the ‘group of death’ at this competition in style. A 3-0 win over the Netherlands, who had impressed in victories over Germany and Russia, sealed their progression to the last four in typically Spanish style, technical flair and proficient passing key to their ultimate victory.
A dominant Spain display was topped off by a third goal in three games from Alvaro Morata, the Real Madrid man forcing his way into the first team after being a match-winning substitute in the first two matches. Isco was also in irrepressible form once more as the Spanish laid siege to their opponents’ goal.
Another victory at these finals would underline Spain’s complete dominance of international football in recent times. Winning the European Under-21 Championship in 2011 and following that up with a repeat performance here would send out a message that their next generation are just as capable of the senior side of winning tournament after tournament in the years ahead. At the moment the end of the Spanish era seems as far away as ever.
Norway Look To Avenge 1998 Defeat
Norway’s talented young squad have performed extremely impressively in this championship and are in only the second semi-final of their history in this competition. Unfortunately, they are meeting the reigning champions Spain, who just happen to be the side they met in 1998 in Romania the last time they got this far. They were on the losing side then and will have to pull off something special to do any better this time.
Nonetheless there is plenty of reason for encouragement given the way the Norwegians have played in Israel. They dominated the opening game against the hosts, scoring a late equaliser to grab a draw, and were superb in their 3-1 dismantling of a dismal England side.
In the end they were ruing having blown the chance to win their group. Taking a last minute lead against Italy, they contrived to let in an equaliser and were forced to settle for second place. Their defence will be of concern to coach Tor Ole Skullerud, whose team will be vulnerable if they continue to make mistakes at the back against the Spanish.
Recent form
Spain U21:
Spain 1-0 Russia (06/06; Euro U21)
Germany 0-1 Spain (09/06; Euro U21)
Spain 3-0 Netherlands (12/06; Euro U21)
Norway U21:
Israel 2-2 Norway (05/06; Euro U21)
England 1-3 Norway (08/06; Euro U21)
Italy 1-1 Norway (11/06; Euro U21)
Players to watch
Spain – Alvaro Morata: Morata is fast becoming one of the most promising young forwards in Europe. Forcing his way into the Real Madrid team for a brief period earlier this season, he has shown why in the group stage of this tournament, scoring three times, two of them match-winning strikes. Capable of popping up in just the right position at the right moment, those qualities allied to his ruthless finishing make Morata the most deadly forward in this competition.
Norway – Harmeet Singh: Dubbed as the Norwegian Andres Iniesta, Harmeet Singh has long been a player to watch amongst the up and coming generation of youngsters in the country. Capped at every level from the Under-15s for his country, Singh has played 37 games at this level – more than any other player at this tournament. He also netted the last minute equaliser against Israel and has been a driving force for Norway. Singh has made a handful of appearances for Feyenoord this season after signing from Valerenga and has been played for the senior national team three times already. He seems poised to be a key part of the international set-up for years to come.
Match Prediction
When a team who enjoy only 30 per cent of possession against England face the pass masters of world football, it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to work out which side are likely to dominate the game. Spain will have Norway on the back foot for long periods and their defence will be severely tested.
Spain showed against both Russia and Germany that they can be frustrated by a solid defence, although as is their way, they still found a way to win both games with a solitary late goal. Norway struggled in their last game against Italy and had they held onto their late lead it would have been a win against the run of play.
This Norway side have shown so far in this tournament that they have a suspect defence and the question is how long they can last against this Spain side? But they are capable of some nice interplay of their own and this side are not a typical Norwegian one; they can pass and move and boast good technical quality. This should be a tight game– both countries have experienced teams with plenty of senior knowledge at club and international level. There should be a gulf in class though that proves too much for Norway to bridge. Spain 3-1 Norway.
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