Under 19 European championship

Spain 1 - Czech Republic 1

Spain: Moyà; Zubiarre, Jarque, Murillo, Peña; Salabarrieta, Iniesta; Carmelo (Corominas 75'), Sergio (Jonan 66'), Reyes (Pina 17'); Fernando Torres. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 61. Iniesta. Bent free kick around wall and into corner of net.
1-1. 76. Sverkos. Controlled ball on edge of area and shot low across Moyà.

Spain's youngsters were held to a draw by a physical Czech Republic side on their opening game of the championship. Iñaki Saéz put aside his new job as the first team manager to take charge of the youth squad once again, and it looked as if they were well on the way when Jarque hit the woodwork twice in the first half. However Saéz's plans were upset when the exciting Sevilla forward Reyes had to leave the field with a twisted ankle with only a quarter of an hour on the clock.

With Atlético's Fernando Torres closely marked by Dosoudil, the Czechs came back, and Kolar went close twice before the break. However in the second half an inspired Iniesta took control of midfield, and the Barcelona apprentice finally beat keeper Danek with a perfectly struck free kick on the hour mark after Torres was brought down on the edge of the area.

Iniesta's team mate at Barça Peña almost made it two with another shot against the crossbar, but just after Saéz made his last substitution, the East Europeans' danger man Sverkos controlled a high ball in the area and rounded Murillo to score. In the end a disappointing result, but Spain have to pick themselves up and try to beat hosts Norway, who they face on Tuesday night. (21.07.02)