England Under-19s coach Brian Eastick admitted his side were second best today,

after they lost 2-0 to hosts Ukraine in the European Championship final in

Donetsk.

Goals in the fifth minute of each half, from Denys Garmash and then Dmytro

Korkishko, were too much for the English youngsters.

England, who kicked off after a minute's silence was observed following the

death two days ago of Sir Bobby Robson, had looked an improving team on their

way to the final.

Having previously drawn 2-2 with Ukraine in the group stages, they booked their

rematch with a 3-1 extra-time win over France in Thursday's semi-final.

Eastick believes those exertions may have been a factor in today's loss.

''We've no complaints really. I don't think we played well enough on the day to

win it - but overall it was probably the right result,'' he told Press

Association Sport.

''Obviously being the home team was a big advantage to them, and the two things

really were the timing of the goals - to concede so early in the first half and

then again in the second half, it put us back on our heels.

''Possibly the extra-time against France took it out of the boys' legs, so we

struggled to get any momentum behind us.

''But the timing of the goals put us on the back foot.''

England soon found themselves trailing when Garmash got on the end of a corner

to the near post and powered the ball past goalkeeper Jason Steele.

England thought they were level shortly after the quarter-hour mark when Aston

Villa's Nathan Delfouneso had the ball in the net - only to discover his effort

was ruled out for offside.

England's best chances came in the first half and fell first to Danny

Drinkwater and then via a Henri Lansbury free-kick, in a promising position but

struck straight into the wall.

It was from a similar position that England were to go 2-0 down, Danny Gosling

unfairly impeding Garmash and Korkishko placing the ball beyond Steele into the

net.

Ukraine captain Kyrylo Petrov and Korkishko again could easily have extended

the home lead, while England had few chances to get back into the match in the

second half.

''I think they've done the country proud,'' Eastick added, of his team.

''There were a lot of young players here, and the experience they have gained

will be terrific for them. I'm sure it will hold them in really good stead next

year.''