I AM the Football Star-Chapter 473 - 130: The Waving National Flag (Part 3)
"The match is over! The match is officially over!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, the European Youth Championship has officially concluded. In the final battle for the championship, Italy triumphed over Spain, who had higher hopes for victory, with a miraculous score of five to three, becoming this year’s new European king!"
"The Italy National Youth Team has become the champions of this European Youth Championship! Let’s congratulate them!"
"Of course, Spain’s performance today was also outstanding, especially their star player Enriquez, who became the Golden Boot of this European Youth Championship with nine goals!"
"Finally, we must congratulate Lu Yang for his hat-trick today! He also tied with Enriquez, scoring nine goals to become the Golden Boot of this European Youth Championship!"
"Furthermore, if the evaluation criteria for the Golden Boot considered assists, his four assists would surpass Enriquez’s by one!"
"Similarly, let’s congratulate Morici, who became the assist king of this European Youth Championship with an unmatched seven assists!"
"From being underestimated in the beginning, to their miraculous advance from the group stage, then reaching the finals and winning the championship, the Italy National Youth Team has gone through a lot this year, but they made it through."
"Oh, Maniero has rushed onto the field, surrounded by players who are throwing him into the air! He deserves this treatment; he was appointed at a crucial time and led the Italy National Youth Team to new heights—he is a miraculous coach."
"Perhaps, if Italy doesn’t perform well in next year’s European Cup, Maniero will likely take charge, becoming the next head coach of the Italy National Team! He is currently the hottest candidate, without a doubt!"
"Lu Yang is heading towards the stands... it’s Sofia! Sofia has been in the stands, keeping a low profile and wrapping herself up so tightly that even the director didn’t notice her!"
"Lu Yang and Sofia are hugging each other, Sofia excitedly kisses Lu Yang’s cheek!"
...
Since they need to broadcast the awards ceremony, most major broadcasters continue their coverage.
In the lens, Lu Yang finds Enriquez after celebrating.
"You are an excellent player. This is our first encounter, but it definitely won’t be our last," Lu Yang extends his right hand to Enriquez.
Enriquez shakes Lu Yang’s hand and says: "Yes, whether in the national team or club, I hope to face you again. But next time, I will win!"
"We’ll see!" Lu Yang subsequently takes off his jersey and exchanges it with Enriquez.
Similarly, Morici finds the crying Spanish number eight and exchanges jerseys with him.
The player’s skill and attitude earned Morici’s respect.
It’s not easy, considering Momo’s sharp eyes rarely find players worthy of his respect.
And Sevajos also finds the Spanish defensive midfielder and exchanges jerseys.
Soon, the award podium is set up.
Spanish players go up first to receive their runner-up medals, yet it’s hard for them to force a smile. Being runners-up is indeed a good achievement, but the brutal part is having to accept awards right after being defeated, facing the media without any buffer time.
The clash between overall success and the immediate setback creates an intense counterbalance at this moment!
Thereafter, Italy players ascend the podium, donning their championship medals.
Lu Yang is unquestionably selected as the best player of this European Youth Championship!
At the same time, he leads the best lineup of this European Youth Championship.
Enrique Spawovsky Manchini
Lu Yang, Morici, Melcan, Sevajos
English wing-back, French center-back, Spanish wing-back
Areola
This best lineup adequately reflects the current trend among young talents in world football.
Talents abound in mid and front fields, even such a core midfielder of a championship team like Spain’s number eight couldn’t squeeze into the best lineup.
But talents in the backfield are scarce, and the players selected barely match the caliber of those in the mid and front fields.
Thus, it’s predicted that in future world football, top-tier backfield players may become exceedingly rare, with their transfer fees possibly exceeding those of players at the same level due to supply and demand.
Finally, the UEFA president personally awarded the championship trophy to Italy!
This Italy National Youth Team is very young; most of them were newly selected by Maniero, with the captain being the previously unimpressive veteran Pirola.
But Pirola knows well that he is not the leader of this team.
So, at Pirola’s invitation, Lu Yang and Pirola each lift one side of the trophy high overhead together.
At this moment, the flashbulbs explode!
Everyone believes this marks the beginning of the rise of blue Italy!
...
After the awarding, it was time for the players to interact with the trophy.
The trophy passed from one hand to another, everyone snapping photos crazily with the trophy.
Especially the substitute players, who, despite not playing much, cherish the trophy more dearly, afraid of not leaving enough memories and being forgotten.
Not everyone sails smoothly and is remembered by the media; for most young players, making the list for the European Youth Championship is already the highlight of their lives.
Just like most boys appearing in their high school basketball team, or indeed even their class team, is essentially the highlight of their youth.
