Sunu Into Euro Championships Final – Özyakup Out

The semi finals of the UEFA European Under 17 Championship’s got under way this evening, with Gilles Sunu’s France taking on hosts Turkey in the first game, whilst Oguzhan Özyakup’s Netherlands took on the holders Spain.

80 minutes separated both sides from a final place, with only one thing guaranteed. Top quality football.

Gilles Sunu started for France, and lost the ball which ended up being the opening goal for Turkey, smashed home by Kayalı. Gilles was taken off at half time in place off Lacazette, after a hard working yet fruitless performance. France equalised in the second period thanks to a Kolodziecziak strike setting up extra time.

After the sides could not be separated it went down to penalties, and after both sides saw there first attempts saved, Turkish striker Karadeniz missed, meaning Sunu’s replacement Lacazette had the chance to win the game and book his countries place in the final. He converted meaning the French would be competing in the final but must wait to see against who.

Oğuzhan Özyakup was named on the substitutes bench for the second semi-final, as Holland drew 1-1 with Spain in normal time after Sneijder’s header was cancelled out by Pulido’s volley. However deep into extra time sub Ángel Martínez volleyed home to put Spain in the final against France.

Scroll down for full reports on both fixtures

Gilles Sunu – France 1-1 Turkey – (AET France Win 4-3 On Penalties)

Before kick off Karim Benzema has issued a good luck message to the French players, and urged them to replicate the glory him, Hatem Ben Arfa and Samir Nasri have previously achieved by winning this tournament.

Gilles Sunu kept his place in a three pronged attack, Sunu playing as a wide right forward with the competitions leading scorer Tafer down the middle and Chelsea’s Gael Kakuta on the left. It was the latter that forced the first early chance from a corner, but it was cleared away.

The Turks had the support of the crowd and played some flowing football with the impressive Tore being the star. But neither side managed to find an end product.

Sunu then had the ball on the wing and attempted to play a pass forward but lost possession to Albayrak. He skipped down the flank and his cross defected off the bar, but came back out to Kayalı on the edge of the box, he took a touch and curled a sumptuous shot into the top corner to give the hosts a lead.

France tried to hit back with Sunu again going down the flank, but his powerful run was snuffed out by the efficient Turkish back line. Then Sunu had another chance and stabbed the ball back for Tafer who’s low shot was gathered in. On the break Turkey were always dangerous and Karadeniz should have snatched a second but Mfa Mezui saved low to deny him. It was the final action of the first half and its advantage Turkey.

Half Time – Turkey 1-0 France

Half time brought a change for France as Gilles Sunu was replaced with Lacazette in a like-for-like swap up front. Decision making from Turkey was proving the downfall as Albayrak chose to shoot when a pass seemed better, and pass when it seemed obvious to shoot.

The long tournament was getting to both sets of players as time ticked on, with several passes being misplaced and the flow and energy draining out of the play. Kakuta was impressive for France and if all his team mates would have played with his spirit an equaliser seemed a certainty.

However Turkey then nearly snatched another goal, as Çek’s left wing cross was headed inches over by Batuhan Karadeniz. The flow then returned as Kakuta pulling the strings slid a lovely ball to the feet of Tafer, who’s first touch showed too much to the keeper and he dived on the ball.

Kakuta then dragged his shot wide and the frustration was beginning to show, but when Lacazette was fouled on the edge of the box France had a perfect chance to level the scores. Fofana’s goal bound shot was clawed out of the net by the Turkish stopper Uçar.

Turkey were working the ball around better and looked good for a second when Çolak’s pull back found Karadeniz in the box, but he scooped his shot just wide of the target. The Turks had spent much of the second period showboating and playing for the crowd, and they were then caught out.

Lacazette found himself in possession 5 yards out, and clipped the ball across the goal to Tafer, he flicked it across to Thimothée Kolodziecziak who smashed the ball beyond the keeper from a tight angle. With the scores tied at 1-1 and only 10 minutes left on the clock, extra time loomed.

The Turks then stepped things up with Karataş coming into the action but the French had more about them in Kakuta and Tafer. Karadeniz then had one final chance but after controlling the ball expertly, he dragged the chance into the stand.

Full Time – France 1-1 Turkey (Extra Time To Be Played)

After a lengthy period of taking fluids on board the referee gathered both sides to play extra time. Which was started with a long range drive from Fofana who was trying to catch the keeper out. Turkey hit back and Çek’s cross deflected to Karataş on the edge of the box. He took control and volleyed straight at Mezui who smothered it away.

Its disappointing to say but Lacazette looked a much brighter and effective player than Sunu, and he nearly worked an opening after back heeling Tafer’s pass, but it was deflected away. France then could have scored as Salibur got in around the back, and poked the ball to Remy on the penalty spot. He did not steady himself and crashed his effort into the stand.

With just seconds left of extra time Lacazette burst inside and after showing the ball to Eren, he pulled the ball away and Eren appeared to barge him to the floor. The referee gave nothing and blew the whistle to end the first period of extra time.

1st Period Of Extra Time – France 1-1 Turkey

France looked brighter and then had another superb chance, as Kakuta stormed inside showed the ball to two players, and took it past them before letting fly on his right foot but it flew well wide. It became obvious Turkey were playing for penalties and were sat very deep as the half progressed.

Remy then crashed a 40 yard free kick high over the bar, before Kakuta tried a different set piece routine but it was not read by Fofana and the ball went out for a goal kick. Then followed a spell of Turkish pressure but the final ball was poor and the French cleared.

With just 20 seconds left Karadeniz flicked his header over, from just 6 yards out and the game finished at 1-1. Penalties would decide the winner.

2nd Period Of Extra Time – France 1-1 Turkey (Penalties To Follow)

Turkish Penalties

1) Kayalı – Saved By Mezui
2) Çolak – Scores
3) Çek – Scores
4) Karadeniz – Saved By Mezui
5) Eren – Scores

French Penalties

1) Tafer -Saved By Uçar
2) Fofana – Scores
3) Kakuta – Scores
4) Kolodziecziak – Scores
5) Lacazette – Scores !!

France win 4-3 on penalties, and will face the winners of Spain V Holland in the final.

Oğuzhan Özyakup – Holland 1-2 Spain ( AET)

Oğuzhan Özyakup was again named on the bench as Holland took on the holders and tournament favourites Spain to decide who would play Sunu’s France in the grand final. Would Arsenal have both representative in the final? the next 90 minutes would decide.

The second semi-final started in a similar way to the first one, with both sides starting cagey and both teams exchanged early possession without any final ball. Spain then exploded into life with reported Arsenal target Carmona skipping down the flank, and forcing a last ditch tackle from Burnet.

The super Castillion then used his physical prowess to work a chance for Sneijder, which was unfortunately blazed wide. Then Castillion had the chance to open the scoring but failed to connect with Bonevacia’s cross.

The Spanish left back Carles then placed a neat 1-2 before racing down the wing, and missed the final ball and smashed into van Rhijn which sent the giant central defender crashing to the floor. The yellow card was issued in what would prove to be a physical encounter.

As Sneijder jinked inside he was pushed down giving the Dutch a free kick 30 yards out. With everybody in the box waiting for the cross, Bonevacia went for goal with a powerful shot which forced the Spanish stopper Álex to make a difficult save.

Holland then worked the next superb chance out of nothing, as Martín failed to control the ball and Castillion lofted his effort just over when it seemed a certain goal. However shortly after, the Dutch goal would come as Castillion rolled Cabral into the wing, his deep cross found Sneijder at the back post who headed home on 34 minutes.

With Holland having the taste for it, the brilliant Castillion rolled the defenders and just blazed into the side netting, in an exciting period. Spain looked tired and uninterested but nearly hit back with the brilliance of Thiago working a chance for Rubén, who failed to convert.

Martín worked an excellent opening for Rubén which required a late tackle from Najah to deny a shot from the Spanish full back Martín. It was the final action of the first half.

Half Time – Holland 1-0 Spain

Holland began the second half much better passing confidently, and looked good for a second goal with Spain out of sorts as things drew on. Martín felt he should have had a penalty when he went down in the box, however the referee gave a corner instead.

The corner proved to be effective as it was initially cleared but it was then volleyed into the mixer by Canales, the Dutch pushed out and the ball found the central defender Pulido who chested the ball down, before smashing home from close range. The Netherlands appealed for offside for it was not given and the goal stood. Spain were level despite creating very little setting up an interesting finish to the game.

Spain had now taken control and with the Dutch holding on, it seemed changes would were needed to kick fire Holland with Özyakup a serious option. The Spanish threat disappeared as time went on and the game returned to its midfield battle, in between there was two chances one for either side. Castillion volleyed one effort wide of the target, before Rubén’s free kick was caught by Zoet.

van La Parra came on for Mokthar as Holland freshened things up with 15 minutes left, but it was Spain who finished much stronger with Rubén working Zoet in the Dutch goal. Both sides exchanged the ball but fatigue crept in and as time wore on the game started to fizzle out. Ebecilio came on for Holland to try and freshen things up but the game would go to extra time.

Full Time – Holland 1-1 Spain – (Extra Time To Be Played)

Spain looked a little brighter during extra time and Keko had a chance to race clear, but was adjudged to be in an offside position. More danger for Holland came when Manu’s cross wrong footed Zoet and he watched it roll wide for a corner. Zoet was nearly beaten again as an in swinging cross flew just over.

The two sets of tied players went for drinks as the first half of extra time ended.

1st Half Of Extra Time – Holland 1-1 Spain

With just a minute gone of extra time Spain would grab the vital goal, Holland failed to clear a set piece and the ball fell to Ángel Martínez who volleyed home from 25 yards out. A stunning goal and one which deserved to win any game.

The Dutch hit back with van Haaren coming on, and were then denied what look like a certain eaquliser. Álex came to catch a cross, but dropped it right at the feet of van La Parra. He pushed the ball forward into the empty net, and just as he turned to celebrate Pulido threw his foot out and stabbed it off the line. An amazing clearence which resigned Holland to defeat.

2nd Half Of Extra Time – Holland 1-2 Spain

Article By – J.Sanderson