Under 17 European championship

Spain 4 - Czech Republic 1

Spain: Nauzet; Molinero, Robusté, Alexis Ruano, Garrido; Merino (Aitor 70'), Corominas, Valero (Maureta 70'), Gavilán; Jonathan, Soldado (Silva 80'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 06. Papadopoulos. Headed past keeper from long throw in.
1-1. 13. Jonathan. Rounded keeper after taking pass from Soldado.
2-1. 41. Soldado. Scored into open goal after defensive mix up.
3-1. 79. Jonathan. Took loose ball after keeper lost control to score.
4-1. 80. Gavilán.

At second attempt after first shot blocked by keeper. Spain got off to a good start in the under 17 European championships with a comfortable win over the Czech Republic. Juan Santiesteban's new crop of youngsters took a little while to get started though, and found themselves behind when Papadopoulos beat Las Palmas keeper Nauzet with a header. However just after half time they were ahead, Espanyol's Jonathan and Real Madrid's Soldado taking advantage of defensive mistakes to score. The Czechs could have drawn level in the second half, but two goals by Jonathan and captain Gavilán right at the end of the 80 minute game gave Spain a flattering result and put them on line to revalidate the title they won in England last year. (27.04.02)