Spain surge into Luxembourg finals
Monday, March 27, 2006
Article summary
Moldova 0-3 Spain Aaron Niguez Esclapez's first-half hat-trick helped Juan Santisteban's team secure first place in Group 5.
Article body
A first-half hat-trick from Aaron Niguez Esclapez took Spain into the finals of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship as a comfortable victory against Moldova secured first place in qualifying Group 5.
Perfect start
The Valencia CF striker scored three times in the first 38 minutes of the match as Juan Santisteban's side, needing to win by a large margin to be sure of holding off mini-tournament hosts Cyprus, qualified for May's final tournament in Luxembourg in considerable style. The Spanish, whose fine record at U17 level was surprisingly interrupted last season when they missed out on the European Championship, made a fine start at the Gyunas Syllogos Zenon stadium in Larnaca as Niguez Esclapez gave them the lead inside the first 60 seconds.
Decisive spell
The win was effectively secured by two further goals in a four-minute spell shortly before half-time, Niguez Esclapez doubling the Spanish advantage in the 35th minute and adding a third goal three minutes later. Santisteban's side held on in some comfort in the second period, and their progession to the finals was confirmed when news filtered through of Wales' 2-0 win against the Cypriots in the other final-day fixture in the section.
