Scotlands babes have taken Europe to task for underestimating the strength of our football. The sporting world is waking up to the shock news that Scotland have reached the final of the Under 19 European Championships. Could Scotland really get two trophies this year after the Kirin Cup triumph in Japan ? Stranger things have happened (but not many).
The first Scottish youth side to qualify for a major tournament in 20 years found themselves in the Group of Death alongside Spain, Turkey and Portugal. After coming through, a semi-final victory over the highly rated Czech Republic has set up a final against Spain.
Unfortunately Spain managed to beat Scotland 4-0 in the group stage making them clear favourites. However this team have been underdogs in every game and confidence now will be high. Another reason for pessimism is the suspension of star player Steven Fletcher, rather undeservedly by all accounts. Hibs are producing a lot of good young players these days.
As usual, the media have belatedly jumped on the bandwagon. This is good news for finding coverage of the final however. BBC 2 Scotland will have live coverage on Saturday (7pm) and on Radio Scotland you can find internet coverage.
Masterminding young Scotland has been the legendary Archie Gemmill. Scorer of Scotlands best ever goal, father of Scott and now this. What a man ! Best wishes for Saturday from those Supporting Scotland Worldwide.
posted by BlackComyn at 1:08 PM
7 Comments:
Is being the father of Scott an achivement to be proud of? Maybe getting Cloughie to play him was a bigger and more impressive achievment?
3:44 PM
Ah well, not to be for the young Scots, but a hell of a performance to get to the final, and by all accounts they gave a very good account of themselves:- certainly a huge improvement on the group stage game, and with key players missing, all bodes very well for the future.
Is this the first time a Scottish football team have got through the group stages of a competition?
2:15 PM
Good to see young City gun Andrew Cave-Brown played in all games for Scotland U19 team in the Euro campaign.
Heres some stuff from the lad himself (lifted from canaries.co.uk):-
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"We exceeded all expectations to get to the final...when we got there, we knew it would be a very hard game, but after the first half performance we really thought we could win it"
"Some of the players - especially the Spanish and Portuguese - were probably the best I have ever played against", said Cave-Brown, with Scotland overcoming the likes of Turkey and the Czech Republic on the way to the final.
"It was a great playing experience. The final had such a big audience. We knew a lot of people would be watching back home wanting us to win. That was added pressure, but in a good way.".
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The futures bright:- the futures yellow and green.
8:06 AM
Thanks for that info dt. Like the guys name, Cave Brown. Good stuff.
So the phrase "glorious failure" is applicable to a Scottish national team again. The important thing is for these young players to keep working. For them to think this is not the pinnacle of their playing career but only the start. For the Scottish clubs to properly nurture their talent. Not play them too soon, too often. Work on ball skills. The Spanish still looked far more comfortable on the ball.
As for your earlier question dt, of course Scotland have got out of the group stage before. In fact Scotland won this very tournament back in 1982. Most notable players to make it were Paul McStay and (one of my all time favourites) Pat Nevin. I think most went on to play profesionally at some level. Interestingly the management team was ex-senior manager Andy Roxburgh and present manger Walter Smith. An omen for Archie Gemmill in the future perhaps.
Another time a Scotland team got past the first round was back in the late '80s whwn they reached the final of the U-16 world cup. They lost to a Saudi Arabian side with bigger moustaches than your average Mexican, suggesting they were nearer 26 than 16.
Yet another example of "glorious failure".
5:43 AM
Very interesting, Blackcomyn, thanks.
I have a question, unrelated:-
How tall is Allan Wells?
9:21 AM
Hi dt. Allan Wells is 6 foot 1. But don't you mean Andy Gray ?
7:40 AM
Very best site. Keep working. Will return in the near future.
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8:40 AM
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