U21 Euro Championship Final: Spain to emulate seniors with continental double

Premier League bound? Isco has been inspired for La Rojita

Glory beckons for either Italy or Spain's young stars, but who will claim the cup? Christian Crowther previews the big game...

Italy U21 v Spain U21, Tuesday 17:00, Sky Sports 2, Match Odds: Italy U21 5.14/1, Spain U21 1.845/6, The Draw 3.814/5

Very much moulded on the tiki-taka style of their senior counterparts, this hugely accomplished Spain side have ploughed a seamless furrow to the final to defend their trophy.

Now the U21s have the chance to emulate their senior colleagues even further by scooping a second consecutive European crown.

Yet to concede a goal over 360 minutes of tournament football, Spain's perfect record of four wins to get to this point makes daunting reading for opponents Italy.

La Rojita have now gone undefeated in 25 competitive matches too, a run which includes 23 wins, highlighting the toughness of task the Italians have in prising away their crown.

While Spain's philosophy is based around the dynamic of the whole team, there have naturally been some standout performers among their ranks.

Up front, the four goals of the competition's leading scorer Alvaro Morata have been crucial, while the likes of Isco and Thiago Alcantara have displayed awesome technical ability and plenty of guile.

Not to mention the entire defensive unit, with keeper David de Gea performing admirably, in turn being expertly protected by Barcelona centre back Marc Bartra, Alberto Moreno, Martin Montoya and Inigo Martinez.

Italy will be no pushovers having only conceded once en route to the Teddy Stadium, playing some beautiful football themselves at times.

Again, they've had their own notable performers such as Paris St-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti and Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne.

However, against the Netherlands they were outperformed for the first half and were similarly lucky to equalise in the previous game with Norway so, if Spain are on it from the off, there should only be one winner - as was the case in the Euro 2012 replica final.

To Score

If anyone was wondering what all the fuss surrounding Malaga's highly rated 21-year-old Isco was about, then they need only have tuned in for a few matches of this tournament.

The Spaniard has already notched twice, the latest a thing of beauty in the semi-finals, while his quick feet and ability on the ball has been breathtaking at times.

After Morata, who is set to finish as top scorer, the Manchester City target is a tempting bet to light up this finale in Jerusalem.

Best Bet: Spain to win in 90 minutes @ 1.834/5
Other Recommended Bet: Back Isco to score @ 4.77/2