The path to Pontedera

By Paul Saffer in Tirrenia

UEFA European Under-17 Championship final opponents Turkey and the Netherlands actually met in the qualifying round back in October, and both teams could have seen their respective campaigns ended there and then.

Qualifying round meeting
In their opening games both Turkey and the Dutch group hosts had defeated Armenia and drawn with Wales. The Turkish draw had been 1-1 and the Netherlands' goalless, so the Dutch needed a score draw to stay in the competition. However, Özgürcan Özcan converted a 59th-minute penalty, but with three minutes left substitute Geert Roorda levelled and the Netherlands joined Turkey in the Elite round.

Dutch drama
Turkey were drawn with holders France, Scotland and Azerbaijan in Elite round Group 6, and promptly won all their games on home soil. It was tougher for the Dutch in Group 7, despite an opening 4-0 win against Latvia. Their campaign seemed deep in trouble after a 2-1 loss to the Czech Republic, and all but over when they trailed hosts Germany by the same score with five minutes left in a game they needed to win. But Vurnon Anita equalised and Jeffrey Sarpong's last-gasp clincher took the Netherlands to Italy.

Netherlands draws
They continued in that pattern in their first finals game, as they were 2-0 down to Croatia 80 minutes into their opening Group B game, only for Niels Vorthoren and Martijn van der Laan to strike in added time and secure a point, though Melvin Zaalman suffered an ankle injury. The Swiss were held 0-0 in the following game, leaving the Netherlands two points adrift of their first two opponents, who had each overcome Israel.

Biseswar winner
Ruud Kaiser's team now needed to defeat the eliminated Israelis themselves, but fell behind early. However, yet another fightback ensued, and Sarpong levelled before the break setting the scene for Diego Biseswar to win the game 15 minutes from the end. At that point, though, Croatia and Switzerland were level at 2-2, meaning the Dutch would have needed to win 4-1, but three late Croatian goals ensured the Netherlands second place in Group B.

Turkish victories
Meanwhile, in Group A, Turkey began by losing 1-0 to hosts Italy, but both coaches agreed the winners were "lucky" in a game Abdullah Avci's side largely dominated. They turned their pressure into goals two days later against England, as Turkey raced into a 2-0 half-time lead, and although Joe Garner scored twice to equaliser, Nuri Sahin secured a 3-2 win. They now needed only a draw against Belarus to finish second, but a Tevfik Köse hat-trick and two late goals from Deniz Yilmaz built a 5-1 victory.

Croatia ousted
Croatia were Turkey's opponents in the first semi-final in Cascina, and from the start it was clear there would only be one winner. Özgürcan Özcan struck on 26 and 61 minutes, and although Grgur Radoš pulled one back, substitute Murat Duerer headed Turkey to a 3-1 win.

Hosts lose
As always, it was tougher for the Netherlands against Italy in Pontedera. Andrea Russotto hit the post for the hosts late in the first-half but was forced out injured soon after as the Dutch introduced Zaalman for the first time since the Croatia game, and the winger headed the only goal in extra time to ensure his team returned there on Saturday to again face Turkey.