In 2018, Loughborough University was fortunate enough to host part of the UEFA U17 Championships. I took a lead on this project, and for each of the three latter games of the tournament hosted in Loughborough, I produced exclusive highlights and articles.
The most exciting game of the tournament at Loughborough, however, was the Netherlands v Serbia. Bottom of the table Serbia fell to yet another defeat at the Loughborough University Stadium, this time at the hands of the Netherlands. Brian Brobbey’s brace puts the Netherlands at the top of Group D, where they will face the Republic of Ireland in a key quarter final on Monday.
The Netherlands’ clinical front three outclassed the weak Serbian back line, with their 6 shots on target compared to Serbia’s one demonstrating the difference in class between the two teams of youngsters. Despite Serbia starting on the front foot, with good attempts from Novaković and Jovanović missing the target in the first half, the Netherlands were able to convert their chances, showing their traditional Dutch strength of youth development on the international stage.
Finishing without a single point or goal, and with a negative 6 goal difference, Serbia leave the tournament as the second worst team, behind Slovenia. Looking ahead to next week, however, the Dutch will be looking forward to a strong performance against Ireland, who finished second in Group D, in Chesterfield on Monday. England play Norway on Sunday, as they look to progress from the Quarter Finals.
Joshua Gray 