Sunu in action as France reach Final

Today saw the semi-finals of the 2008 UEFA u-17 European Championships take place in Turkey. The hosts took on Gilles Sunu’s France in the first game, whilst Oguzhan Ozyakup’s Netherlands side faced Spain in the second semi. Read on for reports on both fixtures.

Gilles Sunu- Turkey 1 France 1

France win 4-3 on penalties

Gilles maintained his place in the starting line-up as Les Bleus looked to reach the final of the tournament. To do so, they had to beat an impressive-looking Turkey side who had the support of the crowd behind them.

The game got off to a frantic start, when Albayrak raced into the penalty area and fired a low shot at goal, which Mfa Mezui could only parry for a corner.

Both sides were looking to take control of the game and it was the French who were next to attack. Chelsea’s Gael Kakuta fired a shot straight at Turkey ‘keeper Ucar, when he had the option to play in one of his teammates. Ten minutes later, Kakuta had another opportunity and this time he hit the crossbar.

Turkey had done well to contain the French up until this point, but then they started to create chances of their own. They won a couple of corners to no avail, but then took the lead through a superb strike from Abdulkadir Kayali. The Turk found himself some space on the edge of the box and then unleashed a stunning, dipping effort which left Mfa Mezui stranded. Just prior to the goal, the French were unlucky not to concede when Thimothee Kolodziecziak hit the ball against his own crossbar in a bizarre incident.

France looked to bounce back immediately and Sunu managed to squeeze a pass through to Tafer, who hit a weak effort straight at the ‘keeper. Grenier also had an opportunity denied and Turkey managed to make it through to the half-time whistle with their 1-0 lead intact.

Half time- Turkey 1 France 0

After an ineffective first-half, Gilles was withdrawn at the interval and replaced by Lacazette as Les Bleus sought more creativity up front. Turkey made a change of their own too, bringing Sever on for Toré. Grenier had the first opportunity of the second half for the French, but delivered his free-kick wide. Further chances ensued for both sides, but nothing was created to really test either goalkeeper. The French coaching staff were becoming frustrated at their side’s failure to turn chances in to goals, and made a bold move in bringing on Salibur for the tiring Grenier. Kakuta spurned yet another opportunity wide, before the Turks made another change, bringing on Yardimci for Albayrak. France were starting to trouble the hosts now, and for the first time since they scored, Turkey’s lead looked in doubt. Fofana delivered a free-kick on target, before a Kakuta corner was punched clear by Ucar. Moments later, France equalised through Timothee Kolodziecziak. It was just what France had deserved. They had pressured Turkey’s goal all this time and now, finally, they had something to show for it.

Turkey made a final change, replacing Aydogdu with Karatas. Both sides squandered chances from close range, as the clock continued to tick. The referee’s whistle blew, and the tie went into extra time.

End of second half- Turkey 1 France 1

The first half of extra time was a scrappy encounter, with both sides reluctant to give the ball away. Karatas had an effort on goal for Turkey, and Remy missed the target from close range.

The second period was reminisent of the first, Kakuta and Remy both hit shots wide. It remained at 1-1 and a penalty shoot out ensued.

End of extra-time- Turkey 1 France 1

Then the penalty shoot out began.

First up was Kayali, who had given Turkey the lead with a superb effort in the first half. He hit it low to the left, but it was well saved by Mfa Mezui

Turkey 0 France 0

France’s first player to take a spot-kick was Tafer. He hit it to the right, but was denied by Ucar.

Turkey 0 France 0

Next up for the Turks was Colak, who dispatched his kick into the back of the net.

Turkey 1 France 0

Fofana was handed the task of putting France back on level terms and he did so, with a sweet strike past the ‘keeper.

Turkey 1 France 1

Cek then stepped up and sent Mfa Mezui the wrong way to make it 2-1.

Turkey 2 France 1

Kakuta then delivered a quality penalty hard and low. The ‘keeper guessed the right way, but Gael took it so quickly he couldn’t reach it in time.

Turkey 2 France 2

Karadeniz was next up for Turkey. A player with an overconfident, cocky attitude, he hit a poor penalty straight at Mfa Mezui.

Turkey 2 France 2

French goalscorer Kolodziecziak was next up and he scored with a superb penalty, lifting the ball over the ‘keeper.

Turkey 2 France 3

Centre-back Eren dispatched his spot kick to put the Turks back on level terms.

Turkey 3 France 3

But Lacazette, who replaced Sunu at half-time, scores to win the game for France.

Turkey 3 France 4

Full time- Turkey 1 France 1

(France win 4-3 on penalties)

So France reach their first final since 2004 and their win was probably just about deserved. However, the question is whether Sunu will start the final after a lacklustre performance today.

Oguzhan Ozyakup- Spain 1 Netherlands 1

In the other semi-final, Oguzhan Ozyakup was once again amongst the substitutes as the Netherlands took on the current holders Spain.

The Dutch dominated much of the first-half, coming close through chances from Bonevacia and Sneijder. It was Sneijder who got the opening goal of the game on 34 minutes after Geoffrey Castillon played in Cabral down the left and his cross found Sneijder, who was unmarked in the box, and headed home. The Dutch managed to maintain their advantage until the break.

Half time- Spain 0 Netherlands 1

Spain must have been given a good talking to by their long-serving coach at the break, because they came out for the second half with a point to prove. Thiago’s hook back into the area was controlled by Pulido who hit a shot in off the bar to draw Spain level. It has been evident throughout the tournament that the Spanish tend to play better in the second half of matches, and it was definitely shown here.

The rest of the half was marred by substitutions and fouls, with both sides creating chances but nothing the two ‘keepers couldn’t deal with.

The two sides remained level at the final whistle, and so, like the first game, the match went into extra-time.

End of second half- Spain 1 Netherlands 1

Buoyed by their goal, Spain were now beginning to dictate and Ruben, Castillon and Sielva all missed chances in the first half of extra time. In the second period, Spain remained on top, and looked more likely to score next. And they did. After some neat, but perhaps a little tentative, build up play on the edge of the box, the ball was played out to Angel Martinez who unleashed a stunning effort to give Spain the lead. It was an amazing strike and certainly one worthy of winning the game. Netherlands piled on the pressure towards the end, but Spain held on for the win.

Full time- Spain 2 Netherlands 1

A great encounter, and normal time was certainly a game of two halves. Spain grew more and more into the match as it went on and were just too strong in the end. As for Ozyakup, it will be all the more frustrating for him, as he made just two substitute appearances throughout the course of the tournament.

Last year’s winners Spain will now take on Sunu’s France in Friday’s final:

Final:

France v Spain