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Belgrade, Serbia. Known for a free-flowing production line of talent, the Netherlands showed off the potential national heroes of the future when it won its first under-17 European Championship title over the weekend.

The Dutch beat Germany 5-2 on Sunday in the highest-scoring final at this level, having kept six clean sheets in a row to get there.

It was just reward for mature performances more akin to an under-21 side or even a senior team, with the opposition largely powerless against the trademark total football the Dutch established to great effect in the 1970s.

Whether the group of outstanding youngsters will translate their talent into glittering careers enjoyed by predecessors such as Johan Cruyff, Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit depends on how hard they work in the coming years, and on a modicum of luck.

“All the players in my squad have great potential but it’s difficult to say at this point in time how many of them will become top players at senior level or if any of them will,” Dutch coach Albert Stuivenberg said before the two-week event in Serbia kicked off.

“This is the first step and the first step is always the most important, while turning all that talent into a successful career requires a bit of luck as well.”

Having cruised through their group after beating Germany 2-0 in the opening match, the Dutch knocked out last year’s champion, England, 1-0 in the last four before defeating Germany in the final.

If their performances in the event featuring Europe’s top eight teams is any guide, several players in the Dutch team could be worthy successors to the senior team that reached the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.

Arsenal prospect Kyle Ebecilio and striker Trindade de Vilhena finished among the tournament’s joint top scorers with three goals each, while crafty winger Memphis Depay showed dazzling speed and ball control on both flanks.

Playmaker Anass Achahbar was at the heart of incessant raids through the middle that deprived most rivals of any noteworthy possession of the ball, while neat team moves ripped the Germans to shreds when they took risks.

After the wild celebrations that followed the title win, Stuivenberg said, “They have improved this season in understanding what it takes to win games.”

England reached the finals with a crunch 2-1 win over Spain in the qualifiers and, after a patchy start in the group stage, it crushed host Serbia 3-0 to advance into the semifinals.

Everton prospect Hallam Hope, also among the tournament’s top scorers with three goals along with Germany’s Samed Yesil, scored a superb brace in that match and showed glimpses of talent to emulate his childhood idol.

“I’ve always looked up to Wayne Rooney because he is a fantastic player and I hope that one day I can do the things he does at senior level,” Hope said after sealing England’s victory over Serbia with an impressive goal from 25 meters.

Another outstanding player was Czech goalkeeper Lukas Zima, who saved two penalties against the Germans and a barrage of shots in three group matches, securing his country’s berth in next month’s under-17 World Cup in Mexico.

“He’s been one of the most brilliant players of the tournament,” former international referee Hugh Dallas said.

“The event has been a real credit to the under-17 European Championship and it will be a fantastic experience for these young players, some of whom have the potential to take center stage at senior level in the upcoming years.”

Reuters