Portugal youth national team celebrates victory // Photo: uefa.com
Portugal’s junior team defeated Slovenia 3-0 in the semifinals, while Spain defeated rivals Ukraine 7-4 in the other semifinal.
In the final of the tournament, held at the Arena Chișinău, the Portuguese youth team defeated Spain 3-2. Spain led 2-0, but in the last two minutes, the Portuguese futsal players turned the tide and equalized the score. Portugal’s Eduardo Tshuda scored the decisive goal 14 seconds before the end of extra time.
The best player and scorer of the tournament was recognized Portuguese Rodrigo Monteiro, who hit the opponents’ goal seven times during the tournament. He did not score in the final, although he was awarded a penalty kick.
For the second time in a row, the Portuguese defeated Spain in the final of the Junior Continental Championship. In the final two years ago, Portugal’s juniors won the title after beating Spain 6-2. The teams are equal in the number of trophies won – two each.
For the first time in the final stage of the European Championship (U-19) took part the national youth team of Moldova, which received this right as the hosts of the tournament. In all three matches of the group round Moldovan futsal players suffered defeats – from Ukraine (0:7), Italy (2:7) and Portugal (0:10). They took the last, fourth place in Group A.
