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Under 19 European finals

Spain 3 - Czech Republic 2 (after extra time)

Spain's under 19 side are the European champions for the fifth time in their history after coming from behind twice to beat the Czech Republic in today's final. The East Europeans put up a good fight, and after holding Spain off in the first half, Krejci caught out Badía with an angled shot soon after the restart. Gines Meléndez's side dominated after that, with substitute Paco going close a couple of times, and Koubek pulling off some top class saves from Sarabia, Deulofeu and Paco. However they were unable to make the breakthrough until five minutes before the final whistle, when Rubén Pardo drilled back a partially cleared corner, and Aurtenetxe deflected the ball in to the net without knowing too much about it. The Czech side rallied again in extra time, and Lácha restored the lead after Krejci set him up. But Spain weren't finished, and two goals in eight minutes from Paco turned defeat in to victory when all seemed to be lost. Another title for "La Rojita", and with the World Cup, European Championship, under 21 and now under 19 European titles under their belts, Spanish football is rewriting the record books. (01.08.11)