Latest news with #LaRojita
Irish Examiner
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Lighting up football's future: The stars to watch at the U19s Euros final
THE U19s European Championship final takes place on Thursday evening as the stars of tomorrow seek glory today. Spain take on the Netherlands in Bucharest as La Rojita seek to win the tournament for a record setting 13th time. We've picked out six players – three from Spain and three from the Netherlands – to keep an eye on in the showpiece. Read More Irish referee Rob Hennessy to officiate U19 Euros final between Spain and the Netherlands Pablo Garcia (Spain) Pablo Garcia made just three league outings for Real Betis in La Liga last season but has taken the U19s Euros by storm. Indeed, no player has scored more goals than the 18-year-old (4) at the competition, which includes a hat-trick in the entertaining 6-5 win over Germany in the semi-finals. An additional assist means only two players have been directly involved in more goals than the Spanish star-in-the-making, who will be looking to fire his nation to glory once more. Considering Isco was Real Betis' top scorer in La Liga last season with just nine goals to his name, this week's final could open up the starting XI door for Garcia, particularly if he does add to his four goals. Kees Smit (Netherlands) After scoring eight goals in 13 Eerste Divisie appearances last season, Kees Smit was promoted to the AZ first team. While he failed to transfer his impressive second division form to the Eredivisie, Smit has been instrumental in the Netherlands' progression to the U19 Euros final, scoring four goals and providing one assist. There is an argument to be made that he should have more of the latter, with 2.8 key passes per game the third most at the competition, with the 19-year-old looking to maintain his rise to stardom and land an international winners' medal in the process. Jan Virgili (Spain) Barcelona have a knack for developing talented Spanish wingers. While Ansu Fati struggled with injuries, the Blaugrana are hoping Jan Virgili follows in Lamine Yamal's footsteps, even if the former is almost a year older than the latter. Virgili ranks third for successful dribbles per game (2.7) at the U19 Euros and is one of six players on two assists at the tournament, the latter coming from a modest two key passes per match. With a knack for cutting inside from the left flank to maximise his wand of a right foot, the 18-year-old's performance in Bucharest could be key as Spain chase further glory, even if he does start from the bench. Either way, he's a handy weapon for Paco Gallardo to call upon. Antonio Cordero (Spain). Newcastle fans will be watching Thursday's final with great interest, particularly as they continue to run the rule over Antonio Cordero. Cordero joins the Magpies from Malaga at the start of July, and the winger will hope this week's final is a springboard for future success. The Newcastle-bound teenager ranks sixth for key passes per game (2.3) and second for big chances created (2) at the U19 Euros and if, as expected, he does start ahead of Virgili on the left flank, then it'll be a significant show of faith in the Spaniard. Ayoub Oufkir (Netherlands) Netherlands do have their own wingers who can fire them to glory at Spain's expense, notably through Ayoub Oufkir. The Sparta Rotterdam forward has been a key player down the right for the Netherlands in Romania, scoring twice and providing an additional assist en route to the final. In addition, Oufkir has proven a tireless worker off the ball having averaged a modest 1.8 tackles per game. With the onus on attacking players working hard to force opposition turnovers high up the pitch, the 19-year-old is, along with Smit, arguably the Netherlands' best hope of securing a first U19 European Championship. Jesse Joeri Heerkens (Netherlands). The Netherlands' last line of defence may just prove the difference in their final meeting with Spain. Only three goalkeepers are making move saves per game than Jesse Joeri Heerkens (4.8) at the U19 Euros, and that means the Dutch shotstopper is the only player to have kept multiple clean sheets (2) and is conceding fewer goals per game (0.8) than any other goalkeeper in the competition. The Czech-born Dutchman is proving a key performer for Martijn Reuser's side, and he'll certainly have his work cut out as the Netherlands gear up for their crunch meeting with Spain. However, Heerkens has very proven up to the task, proving that the best defence is… well… a good defence.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
📝 Spain Under-21s lose 3-1 to England, bow out of the tournament
La Rojita bid farewell in the quarterfinals of the European Under-21 Championship, after falling to England 1-3. Javi Guerra had converted a penalty for Spain's goal in the last minutes of the first half, in a match that was already looking very complicated for the youth team led by Santi Denia from very early on. Advertisement England was winning by two goals in the first quarter of an hour. James McAtee, a Manchester City player, opened the scoring at 10 for Lee Carsley's team, and five minutes later, Harvey Elliot —from Liverpool— increased the difference. The discount kept La Rojita in the game and they had chances to equalize in the second half, but the goal did not arrive and already in the final minutes of the game, there was another penalty, this time in favor of England, which Elliot Anderson exchanged for a goal to sentence the game and Spain's elimination. 📸 Christian Hofer - 2025 Getty Images Everything indicates that this elimination will be the final point of Denia's cycle as Spain Under-21 coach, a very successful cycle that included gold in Paris 2024. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Christian Hofer - 2025 Getty Images
Glasgow Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Time to step up – Lee Carsley issues challenge to England Under-21s
It is two years since the Young Lions won the competition for the first time since 1984, and just the third time in their history, by beating the Spaniards 1-0 in a tense final in Georgia. La Rojita will look to avenge that loss in Saturday's quarter-final in Slovakia as England seek to keep their title defence alive by bouncing bounce back from Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Germany. England beat Spain in the 2023 Under-21 European Championship final (PA) 'I think it's important that when people watch England Under-21s play back at home, they're excited by the way they're playing,' boss Carsley said. 'We want to see real attacking football, aggressive football, because what we've done in the past has got us to this position. 'If we're going to win major tournaments, these are the moments where we have to step up. 'To get out of the group we must give them the positives for that. It's always balanced with the losing the game, which is disappointing, especially in the manner that we did. Our #YoungLions training under the Slovakian sun ☀️ Tomorrow: Spain v England in the #U21EURO quarter-finals! — England (@England) June 20, 2025 'Probably the first 20 minutes wasn't great, but a lot of positives from that moment onwards in terms of still creating a lot of chances, a lot better in the second half. 'All of that has to go down to the players and the way they approached the second half and hopefully the plan is that they carry that now into the start of the game against Spain.' Carsley's England may boast some exciting talents and head into the quarter-final as holders, but Spain are considered the bookmakers' favourites to win the Trnava encounter. 'I don't feel like an underdog,' head coach Carsley said. 'I think there's still a massive expectation that against Spain we can perform, and that's all we need to do. 'If we can perform, we can play to our ability, we've got a great chance of winning the game. 'I believe that Spain are a top team. Anyone that was with us in the last Euros, you have to beat all of the top teams and Spain are another team we've got a lot of respect for. 'The final that we had a couple of years ago was so close, could have gone either way. We scored a fortunate goal and played OK in the game. 'But there's definitely a lot more to come from us if we're going to progress.'
The Herald Scotland
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Time to step up – Lee Carsley issues challenge to England Under-21s
La Rojita will look to avenge that loss in Saturday's quarter-final in Slovakia as England seek to keep their title defence alive by bouncing bounce back from Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Germany. England beat Spain in the 2023 Under-21 European Championship final (PA) 'I think it's important that when people watch England Under-21s play back at home, they're excited by the way they're playing,' boss Carsley said. 'We want to see real attacking football, aggressive football, because what we've done in the past has got us to this position. 'If we're going to win major tournaments, these are the moments where we have to step up. 'To get out of the group we must give them the positives for that. It's always balanced with the losing the game, which is disappointing, especially in the manner that we did. Our #YoungLions training under the Slovakian sun ☀️ Tomorrow: Spain v England in the #U21EURO quarter-finals! — England (@England) June 20, 2025 'Probably the first 20 minutes wasn't great, but a lot of positives from that moment onwards in terms of still creating a lot of chances, a lot better in the second half. 'All of that has to go down to the players and the way they approached the second half and hopefully the plan is that they carry that now into the start of the game against Spain.' Carsley's England may boast some exciting talents and head into the quarter-final as holders, but Spain are considered the bookmakers' favourites to win the Trnava encounter. 'I don't feel like an underdog,' head coach Carsley said. 'I think there's still a massive expectation that against Spain we can perform, and that's all we need to do. 'If we can perform, we can play to our ability, we've got a great chance of winning the game. 'I believe that Spain are a top team. Anyone that was with us in the last Euros, you have to beat all of the top teams and Spain are another team we've got a lot of respect for. 'The final that we had a couple of years ago was so close, could have gone either way. We scored a fortunate goal and played OK in the game. 'But there's definitely a lot more to come from us if we're going to progress.'
The Guardian
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Will Spain serve up a helping of pain for England's misfiring youngsters?
Venganza is on the cards in Trnava on Saturday night when England take on Spain at the European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals. There are constant reminders on the Channel 4 coverage in the UK that 'we' are the holders, despite the fact there are only a couple of remaining members from the squad that defeated La Rojita in the final in Batumi two years ago. It's a night that Oliver Skipp will never forget. There is another stark difference between then and now: England were properly decent at that point. This current crop have stumbled their way into the last eight like a weary boozer, six pints deep, picking his way through an All Bar One terrace on a hot day. Galavanting is not part of this England team's repertoire; instead meekness is the summary of what they have offered. After a promising defeat of the Czech Republic, they stumbled to a goalless draw against the might of Slovenia before losing to Germany B in their final group game. Spain, on the other hand, have breezed to this stage, sweeping past Slovakia (3-2) and Romania (2-1). The more worrying news for England is that the Spanish are favourites and an inquisition should be expected. They've still got memories of Curtis Jones's winner in Georgia two years ago, although the more galling moment remains James Trafford making an injury-time penalty save from Abel Ruiz to secure the silverware for England. Revenge, it seems, is best served in a partially full stadium in Slovakia's seventh biggest city. If we're looking for positives out of the Germany game for England, then young Bournemouth midfield scurrier Alex Scott, who scored in the second half, was decent. He reckons it's only a matter of time before the floodgates open for Carsley's pups. 'The lads score goals every single day but it's not quite clicked yet in the games. The quality we have in this team, it's a matter of time before the goals start flying in,' he whooped. They'll need to win possession off the ball-hogging Spaniards before they can pepper the goal with shots. How will they do that, then? 'Replicate what the lads did two years ago,' he mused. 'It is going to be a tough team. Every Spain team is very good on the ball, very calm and composed.' In preparing to soften any blow, England need not worry, even if a hammering is handed out. Why? Because they have one of their own in Spain's squad. Leeds United striker Mateo 'Matty' Joseph Fernández-Regatillo is leading the line despite possessing 10 England Under-20 caps. Born in Santander to an English father and Spanish mother, Joseph spent the first 19 years of his life in his homeland before being attracted by the bright lights of Yorkshire to learn about real football, none of that tiki-taka nonsense. Giving Joseph a proper football education might now backfire on England, but it does guarantee that at least one proud bulldog will make it to the semi-finals, whatever happens. Join Taha Hashim for red-hot Copa Gianni updates from Flamengo 0-0 Chelsea at 7pm (BST). The American dream. We guess the cowboy won …' – Botafogo remind PSG chief suit, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, of the insult he hurled at their owner John Textor, also chief suit at Lyon, after the Brazilian side's shock 1-0 Copa Gianni victory over the Bigger Cup champions. Re: the thinly veiled contempt from the Juventus players standing behind Donald Trump (yesterday's Football Daily), brought to mind this scene from The Simpsons …' – Adam Clark. The photo in yesterday's Football Daily makes Mr Infantino look very much like Mickey Mouse in his magnum opus, Fantasia. On reflection, Mickey Mouse is a perfect description for Mr Infantino, and his mate Donald shares many comparisons with [Snip – Football Daily lawyer]' – Joe Carr. Given the PFA has a young player of the year award, isn't it only fair they also have an old player of the year award (over 78s perhaps? – Football Daily Ed)? I had a really good game with my dog in the garden recently so surely I qualify and I'm even older than James Milner' –Martyn Shapter. Please send your letters to Today's winner of our letter o' the day competition is … Joe Carr, who gets some Football Weekly merch. We'll be in touch. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. In the past few days, thirsty shoppers in supermarkets around Britain may have spotted a big promotional display from an energy drink offering them a chance to meet England's Lionesses. So far, so ordinary, right? Not if you were doing your big shop in Cardiff, where Tesco upset regulars who would have preferred to get the chance to meet their own national team's players instead. The Welsh FA's chief suit, Noel Mooney, took to his social media disgrace of choice to roar: 'We are Cymru!' And one shopper told the BBC it was 'deeply offensive', adding that Tesco should have 'read the room' with Wales taking on England in Euro 2025 next month. Tesco apologised for the own goal, saying the display was 'incorrectly' put up and promised that 'many of our colleagues and customers will be supporting their home nations' in the Euros. Lucozade sport, gets others irked, fast. It's all going on at Liverpool, with Florian Wirtz coughing for the Anfield doctor and Milos Kerkez packing his bags at Bournemouth and heading up the A338, A31, M27, M3, A34, M40, M6, M62 and round Queen's Drive in a £40m deal. Harry Kane can't wait to face Boca and their bouncy fans at Copa Gianni. 'They're loud and they're passionate,' roared Kane. 'So, yeah, I'm looking forward to the atmosphere. You know, sometimes it brings out the best in you as a player.' Lionel Messi has delivered on his end of the Faustian bargain, pinging in a free-kick to give Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Porto at Copa Gianni. Hannah Hampton has vowed to try to replicate Mary Earps's main character energy after being confirmed as England's first-choice goalkeeper for the Euros, though she'll probably have to effing swear more to do that. 'We're gonna miss her as a person here,' she sniffed. 'She's a big personality in this team. Now l have got to just go and live up to her legacy. I'll give it my best shot.' Daniëlle van de Donk has done one from OL Lyonnes to London City Lionesses, both of whom are owned by Michele Kang. New Rangers boss Russell Martin will watch his team take a high-wire approach to playing out from the back for the first time in a Scottish Premiership match, when they face Motherwell away in their season-opener. Full fixtures here. And Bruno Fernandes has joined Mohamed Salah on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Premier League player of the year gong, with Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey the favourite for the WSL's award. From heat to unrest: Alexander Abnos on how five major storylines are shaping up at Copa Gianni. Is Cole Palmer playing down the fuss before Chelsea's clash with Flamengo? Of course he is! Jacob Steinberg on the 'normal' kid who does exceptional things. Why is Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike hot property in the summer transfer window? Ben McAleer explains. 'Family. They're the only ones you can depend on,' said Tony Soprano. New Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso is reaching for that same ethos, explains Nicky Bandini, as the Azzurri try to avoid the unthinkable prospect of failing to qualify for a third straight World Cup. And the Rumour Mill picks over the latest gossip, including speculation over comings and goings at Liverpool. We rewind to 1966 and a new bridge under construction outside Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, in time for the World Cup games to be held there that summer. The ground hosted three matches in Group Three: Portugal 3-1 Hungary, Portugal 3-0 Bulgaria, and Hungary 3-1 Bulgaria.
