Czechs humble ten-man Spain

The Czech Republic upset a Spain side that had previously been on free-scoring form as superb finishes from Tomáš Pekhart and Jan Vošahlík gave Jakub Dovalil's side a place in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final.

Czech delight
Fine defending kept Spain relatively subdued until Pekhart's turbo-charged half-volley opened the scoring midway through the first half. Spain were reduced to ten men when Roberto García received a second booking just before the break and Vošahlík's cool chip just prior to the hour ensured the Czechs will play in the Josy Barthel stadium showpiece on Sunday evening.

Necid banned
Today's result was even more impressive considering the Czechs were without the man that struck four of their five group goals, as Tomáš Necid was suspended, and illnesses to midfielders Ivan Lacko and Petr Reinberk further reduced their options. Pekhart replaced Necid and Martin Zeman took over on the wing. Bojan Krkić, just 15, made his first start for Spain having scored four as a substitute and Marcos Gullón also came in due to a knee injury suffered by captain César Azpilicueta.

Polák impresses
Spain were slow to get into gear in beating Russia and Hungary, and were clearly troubled by the athletic Czechs. Jan Polák in particular was dealing well with the threats of Krkić and Aarón Ñíguez. On 22 minutes the Czech Republic even had the first real chance, but after Jan Vošahlík pounced on García's backpass he shot tamely at Sergio Asenjo. García then made up for his slip with a saving tackle on Pekhart.

Vital moments
But the tall striker then showed the ability that persuaded Tottenham Hotspur FC to give him a three-year contract. Pekhart picked up a throw-on around 20 metres out, let the ball bounce once and brilliantly struck the ball past a stunned Asenjo. Spain's only other goal conceded in these finals was at 6-0 up against Luxembourg and they were now just happy to get to half-time. But just before the interval García, who had already been booked for a foul on Zeman, caught the midfielder again with a high tackle and was dismissed.

Lead doubled
Defender Manuel Castellano and midfielder José Baena came on at half-time as coach Juan Santisteban shuffled his pack into something resembling a 3-3-3 formation. But the pair did not provide the extra thrust Krkić can as a substitute. Zeman almost repeated Pekhart's trick with a chip that only just missed the target, and the keeper was then beaten with a lob; Vošahlík beat the Spanish offside trap and his clever effort looked a goal from the moment it left his foot.

Spain depart
With 22 minutes left to save their campaign, Spain were desperate and maybe that explained the Ñíguez tackle on Radim Rezník that left earned the No10 a booking that meant suspension for the third-place match. Baena then got on the end of a Krkić centre but Marek Štech somehow saved on the line. He also caught a free-kick from substitute José Hermosa and César Ortiz headed just wide, as did Pekhart, but the Czechs, who counted the last two U17 champions France and Turkey among their qualifying victims, now have another impressive scalp.