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Russia won the European Youth (up to 17 years old) Championship in Luxembourg, defeating the Czech team in the final after a dramatic battle and a penalty shootout. The Russians took the lead twice, but the Czechs managed to equalize the result both times, and in the penalty shootout, the Russian young footballers performed better.
After a nervous start of the match with a lack of scoring opportunities, the game gradually picked up pace, and both teams had several chances to score before the big break. However, the young players lacked precision when attacking the opponent's goal.
The first goal was scored at the beginning of the second half. Russian forward Aleksandr Prudnikov received the ball in the penalty area and his precise shot went into Marek Stech's goal.
Russia resisted the Czech attempts to equalize the result for more than 45 minutes and it seemed that the team could start celebrating victory, but in extra time, the Czechs managed to equalize. Tomas Pekhart scored with a header.
So, the teams had to play extra time, and just six minutes after the start, the first goal was scored. The ball that was shot by Aleksandr Prudnikov was rebounded to Russian player Aleksandr Marenich by the Czech goalkeeper and he put the young Russians ahead for the second time.
However, the Czechs once again did not give up and equalized just two minutes later, with Tomas Necid scoring with a header again. At the end of extra time, the result was still tied, and the champion had to be determined through a penalty shootout.
The Russian footballers performed better in the penalty shootout. The Russian goalkeeper Evgeny Pomazan saved the opponent's shot, and the decisive penalty was calmly converted by Evgeny Korotaev, and the Russians celebrated victory.
