The U-19, without Euro and without World Cup

It was not easy at all and Spain insisted on complicating it even more. The U-19 had to win Denmark by more than one goal to be in the next European Championship in the category, very important for the interests of La Rojita because the first five of that tournament qualify for next year’s U-20 World Cup. The null aspirations of the Danes, already eliminated from the elite round, made the challenge a flatter stage than a mountain one, but it ended up being a Tourmalet that those of Santi Denia could not overcome.

Contrary to what the U-21 did a few hours earlier, who came out to bite from minute 1 against Slovakia in search of their ticket to the European Championship, the boys from the U-19 took time to gain control of the game. So much so that the Danes went ahead after half an hour of play thanks to a goal by Breum Martinsen, whose thread was unstoppable for Padilla.

La Rojita could not find a way to harm the Nordic team until Pablo Torre, the jewel of this generation, put on his overalls. The Racing midfielder, with permission from Barça until the summer, led the U-19 comeback thanks to the glove he has on his right leg. Three balls into the area, three goals. The first of Navarro, central defender of Atleti, with a header from a lateral foul. The second by Artero, from Girona, who took advantage of a header from Zúñiga. And the third, by Zuñiga himselfwho does not know very well how, falling and with his ass, he ended up introducing a corner taken by Torre from the left into the goal.

The objective was fulfilled but there were still 40 very long minutes left, which turned into 35 very short when Breum Martinsen scored his second goal and forced the boys from Santi Denia to go for the room to go to the European. Hopes were diluted with Rasmussen’s 3-3 penalty kick by Zúñiga. A very painful draw that leaves Spain out of the European Championship and the U-20 World Cup.