Armenia 2 – 4
Spain
Spain deny Armenia consolation
Tuesday 27 May 2008
Spain ended UEFA European Under-19 Championship
qualifying with a perfect record after a comeback
victory against Elite round Group 7 hosts Armenia
today.
Armenia ahead
Having already won all three of their qualifying round
matches in the autumn, Spain defeated Ukraine 3-1 and
Turkey 3-0 in Armenia to confirm their place in July’s
finals in the Czech Republic as they seek to become
the first nation to win the title for a third year in
succession. Armenia, without a point, already knew
they would finish bottom but seemed on course for a
shock win today when Voskanyan put them ahead on 20
minutes and Norayr Gyozalyan doubled the lead just
before the first half entered injury time.
Comeback
But two minutes into that additional period Iván
Bolado pulled one back and Artak Antonyan put through
an own goal early in the second half to equalise. Then
in the last six minutes Arsenal FC playmaker Fran
Mérida struck twice to seal Spain’s win and keep them
three points ahead of Ukraine, who beat Turkey 3-0 for
second place. Spain go into the draw on Sunday along
with the hosts, Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany and three
teams to be decided, while the tournament runs from
14-26 July.
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