After 2004, with the famous generation 87, then 2015, the French team could, this afternoon, win its third Euro U17. Opposite, the Netherlands, another European power, especially at this level, since the Batavians have simply won the last two editions of the competition. And the Blues finally won with the score of 2-1. On the French side, there were also very nice people on the lawn, since José Alcocer notably aligned the Parisians El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Zaire Emery, the star of the tournament, in addition to Rennais Mathys Tel.
The meeting started very strong for the young Blues, who came out of two penalty shootouts against Germany and Portugal. From the fourth minute, Tel found the post on a particularly well kicked free kick. Rebelotte in the 8th minute, with a strike from Saettel which found the amount of Kuijsten. In the aftermath, the Strasbourg player, then Kumbedi, let a great opportunity pass in the area (9th). Perfect start for the Blues therefore, against the helpless Dutch who were content to take the blows. Mathys Thel was also particularly difficult to neutralize for the Dutch, and overall, we felt a big superiority of the French on the physical level.
A bad surprise…quickly forgotten
Gradually, the pace began to drop, even if Doué missed a good opportunity with a missed shot, while Tel was alone (28th). A little too clumsy, the men of Alcocer. The French dominated, with a fairly fluid game and an excellent Zaire-Emery in the midfield, but struggled to materialize. On the other hand, zero danger for Olmeta, who lived a particularly quiet first period. Parity score at the break therefore, not necessarily deserved for the Batavians, quite harmless against the French well above and who were unhappy in the finish. And the Bleuets would have done better to take advantage of their many opportunities in the first period.
After a few minutes in the second period only, Jaden Slory appeared in front of Olmeta and beat the French goalkeeper, who came out in disaster, with a stung ball (0-1, 48th). A hell of a clim, since it was the first opportunity for the Netherlands … But the blues reacted well and Tel would have equalized if Kuijsten had not released a superb intervention (51st). The Oranje goalkeeper took out another parade in front of Doué (56th). However, it did not take long to see the Blues finally score. Saël Kumbedi thus finally beat the Batavian goalkeeper with a nice shot from the left from the entrance to the surface (1-1, 58th). And that’s not all, since he did it again two minutes later, following a shot from Tel which had been deflected by Kuijsten (2-1, 60th)! A deserved turnaround, even if behind there were other opportunities to widen the gap and bend the match… but also to tremble, with a goal finally canceled for the Netherlands a few minutes from the end. end of regulation time. With this coronation, France confirms that it is the reference in terms of training in Europe!
Relive the film of the match on our live commentary.