UEFA U21 Trophy: Final Review
The Netherlands defeat Serbia to claim championship crown
Jun 24, 2007
The Netherlands retained the UEFA Under 21 Championship with a 4-1 victory over Serbia, at a rain soaked Euroborg stadium, in Groningen. The Dutch showing no after effects, from their marathon three hour semi-final victory against England, mastered the difficult conditions and broke Serbian hearts with a controlled display.
The Netherlands on top
The crowd, of just under 20,000, saw the Netherlands have the better of the early exchanges and after 17minutes were celebrating the “Jong Oranje’s” opening goal. Midfielder, Daniel de Ridder, lifted a remarkable pass over the Serbian defence and striker Otman Bakkal slotted home from close range. As the Dutch took control of the game Bakkal had a chance to add to his tally, but his effort was saved, while De Ridder missed a glorious opportunity from close range. The hosts were given a huge let off, nine minutes from half-time, when goalkeeper Boy Waterman totally mis-judged a free kick from Serbia’s Aleksander Kolarov, but the ball rebounded off the upright and the Netherlands went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Serbian heartbreak
Serbia started the brighter in the second half, with Dusan Basta and Bosko Jankovic forcing saves from Dutch keeper Waterman. But on the hour mark the game swung back in the Netherlands favour. Serbia failed to clear De Ridder’s cross from the right allowing Ajax striker,Ryan Babel, to guide the ball home. Things got worse for Serbia when Kolarov was dismissed, for a second bookable offence, lunging in on Babel as he scored. The Dutch capitalised on the extra man advantage, and in the 67th minute, Maceo Rigters scored the Netherlands third goal and put the game out of Serbia’s reach.
In the final quarter, Babel missed a penalty for the Dutch before Dragan Mrdja scored a consolation goal for Serbia. Three minutes from time Feyenoord’s, Luigi Bruins, scored the Netherlands fourth and the celebrations were underway.
Dutch records
The Netherlands had retained the UEFA Under 21 Championship and in doing so had become the first nation to win the trophy on home soil. There was further joy for the Dutch as Maceo Rigters finished as the tournament’s top scorer. The Dutch victory leaves coach Foppe De Haan needing one more triumph to match, former Italy coach, Cesare Maldini's record of three U21 trophies.
Italy seal Olympic place
In Thursday’s Olympic place play off, Italy claimed the remaining position defeating Portugal on penalties, after the game had ended 0-0 in normal time. Italy now join the Netherlands, Serbia and Belgium as Europe’s representatives in the 2008 Olympic football tournament in Beijing.
