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Sweden U21 0-0 Portugal U21 (4-3 pens): Five talking points from European U21 Championship final

Sweden won the European Under-21 Championship final for the first time in their history after beating Portugal 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday night.

The two sides played out a goalless draw in the preceding 120 minutes of action before Sweden goalkeeper Patrik Carlgren made two saves in the shootout.

Here are the were the main talking points from the final in Prague…

Yet another cagey final

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - JUNE 30:  Bernardo Silva (R) of Portugal battles for the ball with Oscar Lewicki (L) of Sweden
Image: The European U21 Championship final was a cagey affair

After Portugal’s 5-0 rout of Germany and Sweden’s 4-1 destruction of Denmark in the semi-finals on Saturday, hopes were high that Tuesday’s final in Prague would produce a flurry of goals that would be a fitting end to what has been a wonderfully captivating tournament this past fortnight.

However, as so often happens in these big showpiece matches, caution dictated - remember last summer’s World Cup final? - and apart from a bright opening to the contest, particularly by the Portuguese, extra-time always appeared likely.

What was slightly more surprising, though, was that in 21C heat and with both sets of players visibly tiring, the game went all the way to penalties, the first Euro U21 final to do so since the Czech Republic beat France back in 2002.

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It is never wise to hook your chief conductor

James Ward-Prowse in action with Sergio Oliveira of Portugal
Image: Sergio Oliveira has been one of Portugal's star performers in the tournament

There were more than a few raised eyebrows in the Eden Stadium when Portugal made their first substitution of the night nine minutes after half-time and the No 8 was seen flashing on the fourth official’s electronic board.

That meant captain Sergio Oliveira was being hauled off by head coach Rui Jorge, despite the influential 23-year-old having been the best player on the pitch in the opening 54 minutes in the Czech Republic capital.

And as if to emphasise the mistake, the pre-match favourites then struggled for control in the centre of the park, with Sweden dominating the encounter thereafter, while Oliveira’s dead-ball expertise was also sorely missed in the shootout.

Battle of the left backs

Ludwig Augustinsson
Image: Ludwig Augustinsson could reportedly join Liverpool this summer

Tuesday night’s final in Prague was no doubt watched closely by a whole host of scouts from across the globe, and two players who certainly would have caught the eye were opposing left-backs Ludwig Augustinsson and Ricardo Esgaio.

Copenhagen’s Augustinsson has reportedly been attracting the interest of Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers after turning in a series of impressive displays throughout the tournament, with both the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror claiming the Reds are set to make a move for 21-year-old this summer.

And Augustinsson cannot have done his chances of a move to Anfield any harm after a near-faultless performance in the Czech Republic capital, much like his opposite number Esgaio.

The Sporting Lisbon defender was his country’s most potent attacking outlet, especially in their dominant first half, looking assured at the back and threatening whenever going forward. Surely the Portuguese club will soon be fielding enquiries for their 22-year-old.

And so it was a shame that Esgaio, Portugal’s most reliable spot-kick taker, then missed his penalty to help hand Sweden the title, as the full back did not deserve such a cruel end to his night’s work.

Worth taking a punt on City forward

John Guidetti
Image: John Guidetti's becomes a free agent on Wednesday

Sweden U21 forward John Guidetti enjoyed a mixed night at the Eden Stadium as the Manchester City player looked to catch the eye of a potential new suitor.

Guidetti’s contract at the City of Manchester Stadium runs out at midnight on Tuesday, and with his employers showing no signs of extending his deal in the north west, the 23-year-old must now find himself a new club for next season.

Guidetti missed his country’s best opening in normal time when he volleyed just over the bar six minutes after the interval, before then being denied a late winner by an outstanding fingertip save from Portugal goalkeeper Jose Malheiro de Sa.

The Swede, who spent the whole of last season on loan at Celtic, did keep his cool to fire home his side’s opening penalty in the shootout, and it would be a surprise if a top European club did not sign the hugely talented attacker this summer.

Dreams can come true

Patrik Carlgren was the hero as he saved two penalties in the shootout
Image: Patrik Carlgren was the hero as he saved two penalties in the shootout

Before the tournament, Sweden head coach Hakan Ericson said his side “were dreaming” just to be in the Czech Republic and that they should be ranked either seventh or eighth of the eight competing nations.

Well, 23 years after reaching their only previous European U21 Championship final, Sweden’s dreams came true as they finally won their first-ever youth tournament with victory over Portugal, and what is more the Scandinavians were worthy winners on the night.

The Swedes had demonstrated remarkable character during their two weeks in the Czech Republic, with five of the eight goals they scored in reaching the final coming in the final 10 minutes of their games.

And that spirit shone through again in the final against the more-fancied Portuguese, especially when it came down to the drama of penalties as goalkeeper Patrik Carlgren saved two spot-kicks to mean there was a new name on the trophy.

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