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Keko's memories for a lifetime

Keko inspired Spain's 4-0 final victory, scoring one goal and making two, and said he and his team-mates would keep this memory for the rest of their lives.

Keko (right) enjoys the moment of victory with Carles
Keko (right) enjoys the moment of victory with Carles ©Sportsfile

Keko magic
The Club Atlético de Madrid player had come to Turkey with a big reputation but had been slightly eclipsed by his team-mates prior to the final. But it was Keko – given name Sergio Gontán – who starred on the biggest stage of all, showing off his full repertoire of flicks, back-heels, dummies and miscellaneous magic on the ball. More importantly, he opened the scoring on 31 minutes and early in the second half won the ball in midfield and played an incisive pass to set up Sergi for the second before turning his marker and providing the cross for the final goal, headed in by substitute Manu.

One-off chance
It meant that Spain became the first team to successfully defend the U17 title but of course for the squad, largely born in 1991, there was only ever one chance to win this tournament, as Keko emphasised. "It's a great satisfaction because a European Under-17 Championship is something I will never be able to experience ever again," Keko told uefa.com. "Spain had to win this tournament for ourselves and it is something that will give us pleasure of the rest of our lives."

Team effort
Keko combined superbly with Sergi and Thiago at the Mardan Sport Complex in Antalya to run the France defence ragged at times, but he was keen to point out that it was not just he or his fellow attackers that won Spain the trophy. "My performance was very good, but all the players in general did extremely well," Keko said. "Attacking players get more attention, but everyone played well today."

Credit to coaches
Still, Keko is well aware of the intuition that the forward players have developed and was quick to point out how that developed – and paid particular tribute to 71-year-old coach Juan Santisteban, who has six titles and 19 qualifications to show from his 20 seasons at the helm. "We have a great understanding on the pitch because we have spent a lot of time together," Keko said. "The credit for this goes to the coaches, that is why you saw that understanding today. Juan Santisteban is our coach and we wanted to win this trophy for him."