Thiago Alcântara is congratulated by goalkeeper David de Gea after scoring Spain's second goal against Switzerland. Photograph: Henning Bagger/EPA
Spain were crowned European Under-21 champions thanks to a 2-0 victory over Switzerland in the final at Denmark's Aarhus Stadion.
Spain, who are the world and European champions at senior level, secured their third under-21 title with a first-half header from Ander Herrera and an audacious free-kick from Thiago Alcântara nine minutes from time.
Switzerland, who had been seeking their first trophy, managed to shackle the Spaniards in the opening half hour and could have gone ahead when their star player, Xherdan Shaqiri, half-volleyed a shot that goalkeeper David de Gea had to punch away.
Instead, the Swiss defence was breached for the first time in the tournament in the 41st minute as Dídac Vilà's pinpoint cross found Herrera arriving at pace, and the midfielder planted his header firmly past keeper Yann Sommer at the near post.
Innocent Emeghara had a great chance to put Switzerland back on level terms after 52 minutes, but he scuffed his shot straight at De Gea. Switzerland upped the tempo and went close on several occasions from set pieces with Timm Klose and Pajtim Kasami heading wide from promising positions.
As the Swiss tired of chasing possession, Thiago put the result beyond doubt with a free-kick in the 81st minute. Spotting Sommer off his line, the Barcelona midfielder floated the ball over his head from 40 metres out, triggering wild celebrations from the Spanish.
Belarus secured the fourth and final European ticket to the London 2012 Olympics by beating Czech Republic 1-0 in the third-place play-off in Aalborg.
Spain, who are the world and European champions at senior level, secured their third under-21 title with a first-half header from Ander Herrera and an audacious free-kick from Thiago Alcântara nine minutes from time.
Switzerland, who had been seeking their first trophy, managed to shackle the Spaniards in the opening half hour and could have gone ahead when their star player, Xherdan Shaqiri, half-volleyed a shot that goalkeeper David de Gea had to punch away.
Instead, the Swiss defence was breached for the first time in the tournament in the 41st minute as Dídac Vilà's pinpoint cross found Herrera arriving at pace, and the midfielder planted his header firmly past keeper Yann Sommer at the near post.
Innocent Emeghara had a great chance to put Switzerland back on level terms after 52 minutes, but he scuffed his shot straight at De Gea. Switzerland upped the tempo and went close on several occasions from set pieces with Timm Klose and Pajtim Kasami heading wide from promising positions.
As the Swiss tired of chasing possession, Thiago put the result beyond doubt with a free-kick in the 81st minute. Spotting Sommer off his line, the Barcelona midfielder floated the ball over his head from 40 metres out, triggering wild celebrations from the Spanish.
Belarus secured the fourth and final European ticket to the London 2012 Olympics by beating Czech Republic 1-0 in the third-place play-off in Aalborg.
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