International Matches - Under 22

Spain 1 - Turkey 0

Spain: Cuéllar; Jesús Gámez, Iván Ramis, Carlos García, Antonio Puerta; Valera, Javi Fuego (Miki 59'), Larrea, Montañés; Kepa (Manu Del Moral 54'), Arizmendi (Sergio Torres 69'). 4-4-2.

Goals: 1-0. 05. Kepa.

Spain won the football competition gold medal for the first time in the history of the Mediterranean Games after a hard fought victory over Turkey. The two sides had drawn in their earlier meeting during the group stage of the competition, but this time the youngsters got the edge when Kepa got on the end of Valera's cross to open the scoring in the fifth minute. The Sevilla striker should have scored a second before half time had he not shot straight at Babacan, and Arizmendi also went close before the break. But their opponents came back after the break, and Cuéllar had to be at his best to keep out a long effort from Reis soon after the restart.

Coach Juan Santiesteban decided to make changes in the second half, bringing on Manu Del Moral, Miki and then Sergio Torres (the fifth Atlético Madrid player to take part in the game). Manu could have increased the lead when he broke free in front of goal, but he somehow put his shot wide. And it could have been a costly mistake had Cuéllar not kept out a couple of late attacks from the Turks, in particular a shot from substitute Ibrahim which he tipped over the bar. In the end though a narrow win Spain, and a gold medal each for a makeshift side who, although having the advantage of playing at home, were not expected to do as well as they did.