Netherlands U17’s are European Champions for the second year in a row after beating Italy 4-2 in the final.
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Netherlands sealed their place in the final with a 1-0 win over Spain which set up another showdown with Italy. Last year Netherlands sealed the Euros with a penalty shootout win over the Italians.
This time Netherlands were looking to get the job done in normal time and after twenty minutes they took the lead. Sontje Hansen scored after Naoufal Bannis was denied.
Fifteen minutes later, Ki-Jana Hoever’s excellent free-kick came back off the post but Bannis was on hand to score from close range to make it 2-0. Ian Maatsen then capped an excellent first half with an excellent strike for Netherlands third.
Italy improved after the break and they pulled one goal back in the 55th minute. Lorenzo Colombo found the top corner.
Netherlands on the back-foot for the first time in the game and head coach Peter van der Veen reacted by bringing on Naci Unuvar and Neraysho Kasanwarijo. The substitutions worked as Unuvar found the far corner from the edge of the area to make it 4-1.
Colombo pulled another goal back before the end but it was nothing more than a consolation and Netherlands held on for victory and the championship for the second time in a row.
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