Lighting up football's future: The stars to watch at the U19s Euros final
THE U19s European Championship final takes place on Thursday evening as the stars of tomorrow seek glory today.
Spain take on the Netherlands in Bucharest as La Rojita seek to win the tournament for a record setting 13th time.
We've picked out six players – three from Spain and three from the Netherlands – to keep an eye on in the showpiece.
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Irish referee Rob Hennessy to officiate U19 Euros final between Spain and the Netherlands
Pablo Garcia (Spain)
Pablo Garcia made just three league outings for Real Betis in La Liga last season but has taken the U19s Euros by storm. Indeed, no player has scored more goals than the 18-year-old (4) at the competition, which includes a hat-trick in the entertaining 6-5 win over Germany in the semi-finals. An additional assist means only two players have been directly involved in more goals than the Spanish star-in-the-making, who will be looking to fire his nation to glory once more. Considering Isco was Real Betis' top scorer in La Liga last season with just nine goals to his name, this week's final could open up the starting XI door for Garcia, particularly if he does add to his four goals.
Kees Smit (Netherlands)
After scoring eight goals in 13 Eerste Divisie appearances last season, Kees Smit was promoted to the AZ first team. While he failed to transfer his impressive second division form to the Eredivisie, Smit has been instrumental in the Netherlands' progression to the U19 Euros final, scoring four goals and providing one assist. There is an argument to be made that he should have more of the latter, with 2.8 key passes per game the third most at the competition, with the 19-year-old looking to maintain his rise to stardom and land an international winners' medal in the process.
Jan Virgili (Spain)
Barcelona have a knack for developing talented Spanish wingers. While Ansu Fati struggled with injuries, the Blaugrana are hoping Jan Virgili follows in Lamine Yamal's footsteps, even if the former is almost a year older than the latter. Virgili ranks third for successful dribbles per game (2.7) at the U19 Euros and is one of six players on two assists at the tournament, the latter coming from a modest two key passes per match. With a knack for cutting inside from the left flank to maximise his wand of a right foot, the 18-year-old's performance in Bucharest could be key as Spain chase further glory, even if he does start from the bench. Either way, he's a handy weapon for Paco Gallardo to call upon.
Antonio Cordero (Spain).
Newcastle fans will be watching Thursday's final with great interest, particularly as they continue to run the rule over Antonio Cordero. Cordero joins the Magpies from Malaga at the start of July, and the winger will hope this week's final is a springboard for future success. The Newcastle-bound teenager ranks sixth for key passes per game (2.3) and second for big chances created (2) at the U19 Euros and if, as expected, he does start ahead of Virgili on the left flank, then it'll be a significant show of faith in the Spaniard.
Ayoub Oufkir (Netherlands)
Netherlands do have their own wingers who can fire them to glory at Spain's expense, notably through Ayoub Oufkir. The Sparta Rotterdam forward has been a key player down the right for the Netherlands in Romania, scoring twice and providing an additional assist en route to the final. In addition, Oufkir has proven a tireless worker off the ball having averaged a modest 1.8 tackles per game. With the onus on attacking players working hard to force opposition turnovers high up the pitch, the 19-year-old is, along with Smit, arguably the Netherlands' best hope of securing a first U19 European Championship.
Jesse Joeri Heerkens (Netherlands).
The Netherlands' last line of defence may just prove the difference in their final meeting with Spain. Only three goalkeepers are making move saves per game than Jesse Joeri Heerkens (4.8) at the U19 Euros, and that means the Dutch shotstopper is the only player to have kept multiple clean sheets (2) and is conceding fewer goals per game (0.8) than any other goalkeeper in the competition. The Czech-born Dutchman is proving a key performer for Martijn Reuser's side, and he'll certainly have his work cut out as the Netherlands gear up for their crunch meeting with Spain. However, Heerkens has very proven up to the task, proving that the best defence is… well… a good defence.
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