It took an 80th minute strike from Real Madrid Castilla striker Jese Rodriguez for Spain to clinch their ninth UEFA European U19 Championship title at the expense of Greece.
The forward eventually scooped the top scorer award with five goals ahead of Greece’s Dimitris Diamantakos and Giorgos Katidis. While the youth tournament in Estonia has just ended, final match hero Jese Rodriguez is gearing up for the upcoming club football season with Real Madrid Castilla.
The team will compete in the Segunda Division in what Jese described as “an extra challenge”. Jese’s contract at Madrid expires next year but the player believes that his talent could promote him to play alongside Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and company.
“[Jose] Mourinho knows that there's plenty of quality in the Cantera, and he can call upon us any time he wants,” the striker told Marca.
“When I get back to my club I want to continue improving day by day. I know that when I do get back, though, that my team-mates will look on me differently as is always the case when you win tournaments like this.”
However, Spain U19 manager Julen Lopetegui restricted himself from singling out particular players as heroes. The 45-year-old coach described Spain’s win at the 2012 UEFA Euro U19 Championship as a collective achievement.
“The players' mentality was spot on and they very much deserved their win. I prefer to concentrate on my team as a whole rather than pick out individuals for praise,” Lopetegui stated while speaking to UEFA.com.
The Spain U19 coach did not forget to congratulate UEFA Euro Under-19 Championship runners-up Greece. He added:
“That was a real final. We were facing a team that weren't just great, but who collectively had huge heart. Greece competed brilliantly, just as we expected they would.”
Spain met Greece in the group stages of the tournament. Jese was on target as the Spaniards ran away with a vital 2-1 victory. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's youth system continues to compete with Barcelona's La Masia as Spain's two giant teams aim to produce world football's best talents.
The team will compete in the Segunda Division in what Jese described as “an extra challenge”. Jese’s contract at Madrid expires next year but the player believes that his talent could promote him to play alongside Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and company.
“[Jose] Mourinho knows that there's plenty of quality in the Cantera, and he can call upon us any time he wants,” the striker told Marca.
“When I get back to my club I want to continue improving day by day. I know that when I do get back, though, that my team-mates will look on me differently as is always the case when you win tournaments like this.”
However, Spain U19 manager Julen Lopetegui restricted himself from singling out particular players as heroes. The 45-year-old coach described Spain’s win at the 2012 UEFA Euro U19 Championship as a collective achievement.
“The players' mentality was spot on and they very much deserved their win. I prefer to concentrate on my team as a whole rather than pick out individuals for praise,” Lopetegui stated while speaking to UEFA.com.
The Spain U19 coach did not forget to congratulate UEFA Euro Under-19 Championship runners-up Greece. He added:
“That was a real final. We were facing a team that weren't just great, but who collectively had huge heart. Greece competed brilliantly, just as we expected they would.”
Spain met Greece in the group stages of the tournament. Jese was on target as the Spaniards ran away with a vital 2-1 victory. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's youth system continues to compete with Barcelona's La Masia as Spain's two giant teams aim to produce world football's best talents.
