via UEFA.com – Julen Lopetegui has called on his talented Spain side to be “one united team” as they go in search of back-to-back UEFA European Under-21 Championship titles. Lopetegui wants La Rojita, unbeaten in their last 25 competitive outings, to seize the opportunity to lift the trophy for the fourth time with victory against Italy in Jerusalem, adding that “the final is in our hands”. His opposite number Devis Mangia is happy for Spain to be labelled favourites in what he described as “the most important game of our lives”.
UEFA U21 Championship – Spain vs Italy
Tuesday June 18, 10:45 am
ESPNU
Since 2002, when the tournament format was changed to include a group stage, semi-final and final, no team has gone without conceding throughout; Spain are yet to be breached after defeating Russia 1-0, Germany 1-0, Netherlands 3-0 and Norway 3-0 in the semifinal.
Italy defeated Netherlands 1-0 in the other semifinal. The Jong Oranje failed to take advantage of their first-half superiority, with Adam Maher hitting a post and Daley Blind testing Francesco Bardi from long range. The Group B runners-up were then punished after the break when Fabio Borini turned and finished with aplomb to send Italy into their first final since claiming a fifth U21 title in 2004.