Match Report: Final- England v Germany

Germany's players lift the trophy after a dominant display

If this tournament has provided optimism for England's young prospects, then ninety minutes has all but shattered the feel-good factor in one foul swoop, with Germany dominating long-periods of a game they eventually won by four goals to nil.

In truth the scoreline did flatter the Germans, but the win did not. Stuart Pearce's side capitulated in the second half, conceding three goals in the final 45 minutes for the second game in a row.

Mesut Ozil proved to be the catalyst to the win which will no doubt be celebrated in Germany for years to come. The Gelsenchirchen-born, Turkish bred, midfielder set Gonzalo Castro up for the first, he then scored the second from a long-range free-kick. The schemer then released Sandro Wagner on the left for the third goal and played a part in the fourth; Wagner producing two clinical finishes in the final 11 minutes.

England had no reply and were lacking in strength upfront while they looked disorganised at the back - not a good day at the office.

Stuart Pearce decided to hand the gloves to Scott Loach for his first start of the tournament while Theo Walcott started as the lone-striker, replacing the suspended Gabriel Agbonlahor and Frazier Campbell. Adam Johnson filled in on the left, in place of the jet-heeled Arsenal player.

Germany, meanwhile, welcomed their captain Sami Khedira back into their midfield. Sandro Wagner was introduced upfront in place of Ashkan Dejagah - who was also serving his suspension, having picked up his second booking of the tournament against Italy.

England started brightly, passing the ball around with confidence. Milner and Johnson on the wings looked lively in the first 10 minutes, but Germany gradually asserted their dominance on the match as the first-half continued.

Ozil and Sami Khedira were pulling the strings in midfield and Sandro Wagner was dropping-deep to link up. The full-backs, Andreas Beck and Sebastian Boenisch, looked to overlap at every opportunity.

Ozil had already given England an early warning. He made space for himself and slipped a ball through to Khedira as he ran into the box, his touch took him wide and it was cleared by England.

England did not heed the warning, however, when in the 23^rd minute, Ozil was again afforded time and space to place an inch-perfect through-ball to Gonzalo Castro. The Bayer Leverkusen winger drew Scott Loach out, and chipped it over the onrushing Watford-man. The ball nestled effortlessly into the bottom corner - it was Castro's second of the tournament, both against England.

It was no more than the German team deserved, and they continued to play the ball around with confidence, looking quick and decisive on the break. Germany were also trying their luck from range. First Sebastian Boenisch, then Ozil, shot from distance - the first tipped wide by Loach and the second a dipping free-kick which took a deflection from the wall, narrowly clearing the bar.

England were struggling to gain control in midfield with every ball aimed at Walcott coming straight back. The pint-sized Arsenal striker was not getting much change out of the giant Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Howedes in the air.

Germany went into half-time knowing that with their strong defensive record, they would have a good chance of taking the trophy home.

Pearce decided to introduce Michael Mancienne for Nedum Onuoha at half-time in a tactical change, but three minutes after the restart, it was 2-0.

Ozil stood over a free-kick, 35-yards from goal. He tried an audacious shot and the ball swerved, wrong-footing Loach. The goalkeeper sent out a flailing hand, but it was not strong enough to keep out the midfielder's effort and the ball bounced over the line.

Milner was trying hard to create an opening, twisting and turning Boenisch at every opportunity. The Aston Villa striker managed to beat his marker and two other German defenders with some quick-footwork in the 61st minute. He raced to the byline and pulled a low ball back to Johnson. Somehow the Middlesbrough player failed to get enough contact on the ball and Andreas Beck cleared from under his own bar.

Johnson then turned provider, as his corner was headed towards goal by Lee Cattermole, but Beck was there again to clear from the line.

Those opportunities had to go in if England were to have any chance of getting back in the game, but soon their fate was sealed.

Eleven minutes from time, Sandro Wagner who had put in a good shift upfront, was sent through by Ozil, he steadied himself in the box before firing low between Loach's legs. The German bench, sensing victory, rushed to congratulate the striker, and England heads dropped.

Wagner's chances have been limited in this tournament, but he took his chance in this match, thriving from Ozil's service. Five minutes later, the Duisberg striker claimed his second and Germany's fourth. Castro played him through on the left of the box, and he cut inside on his right foot, curling a sumptuous effort past Loach and inside the far post. Game, set and match.

With the final whistle imminent, the German substitutes doused their manager with water, but no doubt there was something stronger on offer in the dressing room after the match.

Having already won the under-17 and under-19 crowns, Germany can now add the under-21 trophy to their glistening cabinet.

In Mesut Ozil, Germany have a new star, and he will no doubt be shining in bigger tournaments than this, as Germany undoubtedly having a bright future at international level.

In England meanwhile, the lackluster performance will again lead to questions as to whether an academy modeled on the French, Clairefontaine, is needed. A sorry end to a promising tournament.

Final Preview: England v Germany

These two old foes will meet each other in what is set to be another intriguing encounter, as England aim to win their first trophy at this level since 1984.

Both teams have shown glimpses of promise throughout the tournament, but ultimately they have risen to the top of what has been a poor tournament in terms of the quality of football - with no team really taking the tournament by the scruff of the neck.

England versus Germany is always an important game, at whatever level. Stuart Pearce will know the feeling of losing to the West Germans after his penalty miss in the World Cup semi-final shoot-out in 1990. In 1996 it was a similar story for Pearce, although he did not miss a penalty, England crashed out of the European Championships on penalties to Germany.

Pearce stresses though that history will have no effect on tonight's encounter. Speaking a the pre-match press conference yesterday, he said: "What's gone before is irrelevant...The only history we want to create is tomorrow night."

Germany coach, Horst Hrubesch agreed: "England have some advantage over us at set-pieces, but I don't think that will have any influence," he said.

The two teams squared-up in their Group B game in Halmstad last week with England finding more out about Germany than their opponents did about them. Stuart Pearce, the England coach, opted to name, in effect, his second string against the Germans with qualification already ensured.

Despite a supposedly weakened team and conceding within the first five minutes, England equalised and then took control of the game in the second half, playing some of their best football of the tournament to date.

Ahead of the final, there are suspensions for both sides. England will be without Gabriel Agbonlahor, their first choice striker and his deputy, Frazier Campbell, after a booking and a red card against Sweden respectively. Theo Walcott is therefore expected to take up the forward role, with Adam Johnson coming in on the left.

Joe Lewis or Scott Loach will come in for Joe Hart, who picked up his second yellow during the dramatic penalty shoot-out with Sweden. Both 'keepers played 45 minutes each of their previous meeting with Germany.

Germany are without striker, Ashkan Dejagah, through suspension after he picked up his second booking of the tournament in their semi-final win over Italy. Sandro Wagner is expected to take his place. Marko Marin, meanwhile, is struggling to be fit but Sami Khedira (pictured) should return after a spell on the sidelines.

Germany's defence is the strongest in the competition having only conceded one goal in their four games. Hrubesch maintains this strength could see them through. "We've got a very strong team with exceptional qualities, especially individually...We've played some very good football at times and this might be one of the strongest sides to ever to represent Germany at this level" the former West Germany international said.

Key to their "very good football" has been Mesut Ozil, the Werder Bremen midfield schemer, who some have likened to Diego. England will need to be wary of the Gelsenkirchen-born player as well as Gonzalo Castro, who scored against them in Halmstad.

Whatever happens, it is sure to be an intriguing night, and it could still be settled on penalties, as so often is the case between these two sides. England would be confident though as for once, they know they can hold their nerve.

Photo Credit: -bast-

Match Report: Semi-final- England v Sweden

England Under-21s held their nerve to win a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Sweden securing a place in the final of the European under-21 Championships. This was after throwing away a three-goal lead after only 29 minutes.

England will now face their old adversaries, Germany in Monday’s final in Malmo, after they overcame Italy with an Andreas Beck first-half strike.

It was all too easy for England in the first half as they went three-nil to the good within half an hour. A goal in the first minute from Martin Cranie, a Nedum Onuoha strike, and an own-goal by Mattias Bjarsmyr had put England in complete control.

Sweden left the field at half-time to a chorus of boos from the passionate home support, but they hit back with three goals in the second half. It was shades of Liverpool v AC Milan in Istanbul, but there was no Steven Gerrard in sight, this time it was Marcus Berg who inspired the comeback.

Berg, who topped the goalscorer’s charts coming into the match, increased his tally to seven. His strike-partner, Ola Toivonen, scored the other. All three goals coming in a twelve-minute period midway through the second-half.

After a tense extra-time where England were reduced to ten-men, as substitute Frazier Campbell picked up his second booking, it went to penalties.

The whole stadium held its breath and despite James Milner missing England’s first penalty, the team in white advanced 5-4 after Berg’s effort was saved and Guillermo Molins’ penalty rebounded off of the post.

Stuart Pearce opted to start with the majority of the team which had comprehensively beaten Spain, having rested the players for the last group game against Germany.

Joe Hart regained his place in goal, James Milner returned from suspension and Gabriel Agbonlahor from injury - while Theo Walcott returned to the starting line-up for the first time since England’s first group game with Finland.

It was a perfect start for England as they silenced the home crowd within a minute. A James Milner corner found its way through to right-back Martin Cranie, who shot through a group of players. Walcott left it, and somehow thre ball found its way into the net.

Sweden looked to respond immediately but they couldn’t find a way through England’s solid back-line. Further upfield, the midfield duo of Milner and Noble and the pace of Agbonlahor and Walcott upfront were troubling the hosts.

It was soon 2-0. A James Miner corner, this time from the left, again produced panic in the Sweden defence in the 27^th minute. Onuoha had time to take a touch before blasting the ball into the bottom corner.

The third was not too long in coming. Eleven minutes later, Swedish goalkeeper, Johan Dahlin flapped at another Milner corner, and Walcott controlled it on the right. The Arsenal man’s cross was flicked on by Lee Cattermole and Mattias Bjarsmyr, the Sweden captain, turned the ball into his own net.

The Gamla Ullevi fell silent as half-time approached. Sweden had shown so much promise at times during the tournament, yet here they were 3-0 down after only 29 minutes.

The half-time whistle blew but the boos were even louder from the home support, showing how much the Swedes have come to love the competition they are hosting.

The second-half started very much in the same vain. Sweden, however, started to gain control of the match with the quality of Rasmus Elm and Marcus Berg coming to the fore.

It was to be the latter who was to have the most telling contribution on the match. Substitute, Molins, burst down the right and sent in a low cross, which the defence failed to deal with. Berg found space in the box and added to his five-goal tally with a sumptuous half volley into the bottom left corner.

Berg and Toivonen have looked a threat throughout the tournament and the PSV striker soon got in on the act. The blond-haired number seven had a touch of David Beckham about him as he lined up a free-kick on the edge of the box in the 75^th minute. He lifted it over the wall and into the top-right corner; Hart had no chance and the game was back on.

The crowd now started to believe and the England players started to look nervous. Needless passes were given away, and six minutes after the second goal, Sweden had their third.

A Gustav Svensson cross from the right eluded Berg in the middle, but Robin Soder, at the back post, flicked it back to the striker, who dispatched a ferocious shot into the net.

The stadium erupted, and with nine minutes to play there only looked like being one winner.

England held on though for the 90 minutes, and the game continued into extra-time. On a very hot day in Gothenburg this was the least either team wanted but a place in the final was at stake so neither team would give up.

Extra-time was a tense affair, with niggly challenges coming in from both sides. Frazier Campbell, the Manchester United striker, had already been booked and he was soon given his marching orders by the Turkish referee for a lunge.

It was now an uphill struggle for England, and Berg almost won it for Sweden. The tournament’s leading goalscorer was inches from claiming his eighth in four games when he rose above the defence to head a Svensson cross against the bar.

But it wasn’t to be, and the game inevitably came down to the cruel affair that is penalty-kicks.

James Milner stepped-up first. As the Yorkshireman placed his standing foot on the ground, it gave way, sending him flat on his back and the ball well over the bar. The Aston villa winger, sat in the ground in disbelief for a minute before trudging back to the half-way line.

Sweden scored their first penalty through Elm and then the England goalkeeper, Hart stepped-up making no mistake. Hart then saved from Berg, of all people, to level the scores.

With four successful kicks for Sweden and five for England, the shoot-out entered sudden-death. Molins had to score to keep the hosts in the tournament. His shot was low but it struck the outside of post. As it dawned on them that they had won the shoot-out 5-4, the England squad rushed from the bench to celebrate with Hart - while an eerie silence descended on the stadium.

The only downside to the epic game is the bookings of Agbonlahor in the first half and Hart during the shoot-out, and the sending-off of Campbell - ruling all three out of the final.

The England team would not have been worrying about that last night though as they head back to their team camp in high spirits, knowing they will face their old foes, Germany in what is sure to be an intriguing final.

Photo Credit: Jonny Payne

Match Preview: England v Sweden

The city of Gothenburg will play host to Sweden versus England tonight as both sides aim to make it through to the final.

Thomas Walfridsson, Local Organising Committee (LOC) project manager for Gothenburg said: “Having Sweden versus England here for the semi-final, is like hitting the jackpot.”

He notes that many of the Swedish team will be comfortable playing in the new Gamla Ullevi stadium, which has a capacity of 16,700.

“In this Swedish team there are seven players who play here or just outside the city and everyone knows the players. So this is the home ground for them. The coach is also from Gothenburg,” he said.

After a shaky start in their first group game against Finland, scraping through with a 2-1 win with ten-men, England’s performances have since improved markedly.

England’s next game, against one of the tournament favourites, Spain, was an emphatic performance of pace and strength with Fabrice Muamba and Micah Richards shining.

With England qualified, Pearce chose to rest the majority of that team in their next match against Germany. It was a gamble that did not look to have paid-off when Germany took an early lead, but England gradually took control and equalized through a Jack Rodwell header. A draw was enough to see England through as group winners, setting up tonight’s encounter with Sweden.

Stuart Pearce’s men have been practicing their penalty kicks ahead of the game. The young lions succumbed to hosts Holland after an epic penalty shoot-out at the same stage in 2007, and they would not want a repeat this year. 

Sweden coach, Jorgen Lennartsson, has admitted that practicing penalties is not high on his agenda. “It is about the situation in the game, how the performance has been in the match until the penalty shoot-out, the players who have confidence, the players who feel fit, and the players with experience in this situation. So for me it’s not possible to do this ranking now because we have to do this when the game is over and feel how everyone is.”

Sweden have looked in breathtaking form at times in this tournament scoring nine goals in their three group games, including a 5-1 rout of Belarus who troubled Serbia and Italy.

Marcus Berg (pictured) has scored five goals in the three games and is the leading scorer in the tournament. His partnership with PSV Eindhoven’s Ola Toivonen is something England will need to be wary of.

Rasmus Elm , the creator in midfield, will also be a player to look out for and of course there will be the extra hurdle of the passionate home support. There was disappointment though, for Pontus Wernbloom and Emir Bajrami, who miss out through suspension.

A final in Malmo with either Italy or Germany awaits the victor in what is sure to be a compelling match.

 Photo credit: antoon

Match Preview: Italy v Germany

These two famous footballing nations will line up against each other at Helsingborg's Olympia tonight as they aim to make it through to the final against either England or Sweden.

Italy will be looking to add to their five tournament wins at this level while Germany will be looking for their first.

Tonight's match pits arguably the best defence of the tournament against the best attack. Germany have only conceded one goal in their three qualifying games, a Jack Rodwell header for England.

Benedikt Howedes and Jerome Boateng have been impressive in the German centre-back pairing. Howedes has chipped in with a goal while boateng set up Gonzalo Castro's strike against England.

Italy, meanwhile, have a trio of attacking stars in the form of Sebastian Giovinco, Robert Aquafresca and Mario Balotelli (pictured). The latter will return from suspension following his sending-off against Sweden, but the Ghanaian-born striker showed his class with an expertly taken finish before his moment of madness.

Aquafresca has also looked potent in attack. The Cagliari striker scored three times in the group stage and is attracting interest both at home and abroad. he currently lies second in the list of top goalscorers in the tournament, behind Marcus Berg who has five goals.

Giovinco, meanwhile, is the creative force in the team, often dropping deep to link up with the midfielders. His small frame allows him a low centre of gravity making him difficult to knock-off the ball.

It will be an intriguing match and no doubt a competitive one as games between these nations generally are. With a place in the final at stake no love will be lost in the most fanatic of Swedish footballing cities.

Photo Credit: segnaleorario

Match Report: Italy v Belarus

Italy have set up a semi-final date with Germany as two goals from Robert Aquafresca overcame a spirited Belarus side, who had earlier taken a shock lead.

Sergei Kisylak swivelled to hit a half-volley into the bottom corner sending the Belarus bench into a sprawling mass of bodies in the 45th minute, but a penalty from Robert Aquafresca a minute later and then a second-half tap-in from the Cagliari striker sent the Italians through.

There was a disappointing turn-out at the Olympia stadium in Helsingborgs, with the 12,500 capacity stadium only around a tenth full.

It was a bright start by Italy who took control of the game and looked to use the pace of Ignazio Abate on the right-wing at every opportunity. Sebastian Giovinco (pictured) was also finding a lot of space as he dropped deep to link up with the midfield.

Abate had replaced the suspended Mario Balotelli, and his contribution here shows that Italy have strength in depth in wide areas.

Italy had to make a change fifteen minutes in, as Paolo De Ceglie limped off with a knee injury after going in for a crunching challenge, Daniele Dessena came on in his place.

The first real opportinity of the match came out of nowhere. Sergei Krivets, who had scored a long-range effort against Sweden almost replicated the feat. He was given space 25 yards out and hit a ferocious dipping shot which flew inches over the bar.

It was then Italy's turn to try their luck from range. Marchisio had time to collect and settle himself before dispatching a low drive which narrowly missed the left-hand post.

Half an hour into the match Italy had two attempts cleared off the line. First, Abate's, and then from the resulting corner, Bocchetti's headers were cleared from under the goalposts. There were claims that the first clearance was made using an arm but the referee waved away the appeals.

On the stroke of half-time Belarus took a shock lead. Mikhail Afanasiev whipped a dangerous low cross into the box and Kislyak swivelled hitting the ball on the half-volley across Andrea Consigli and into the bottom corner. Kislyak ran to the bench to be mobbed by the numerous Bealrus players and coaching staff.

Italy responded immediately though. Afanasiev, maybe still reeling from his assist, handled a cross in the penalty area and the referee had no doubts and pointed to the spot.

With the last kick of the first half, Aquafresca stepped-up and coolly slotted the ball past Chesnovski.

Soon after the restart, Aquafreca could have had his second. The Italian marksman found space in the penalty box but sliced his effort after being put under pressure.

Italy then came even coser in the 57th minute as Bochetti rose above the defence to head a Giovinco corner against the bar, it was scrambled clear and Cigarini's follow-up shot was blocked.

Italy were not having it all their own way however, as Leonid Kovel lined up a free-kick from 25 yards out, and Consigli would have been relieved to see the swerving shot drift narowly over.

Giovinco nearly scored the goal that he had deserved on 65 minutes, when he raced onto a Antonio Candreva through-ball. The little Juventus man tried to lift it over the onrushing goalkeeper, but Chesnovski managed to get a hand to it. The ball bounced towards goal but it was hastily knocked behind by Bordachov.

Italy did not hae to wait long for the second however, as eight minutes later another through-ball by Candreva put Giovinco one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he drew Chesnovski towards him and unselfishly squared the ball to Aquafresca who eagerly tapped it into the empty net.

Italy were looking to make the game safe and Giovinco nearly made it three fifteen minutes from time. He was given acres of space on the edge of the box and dispatched a dipping effort onto the bar.

Italy were celebrating soon afterwards though as the final whistle went, and they will remain in Helsingborg for their semi-final with Germany on Friday.

Photo Credit: Prettyfriendship

Match Preview: England v Germany

England go into tonight's Group B game knowing that they only need a point to finish top of the group. 

Stuart Pearce's charges clinched progression to the semi-finals with an imprssive 2-1 win against Spain last Thursday but a draw tonight would see them play the second placed team in group A in the semi-finals.

Germany could also settle for a draw knowing that would be enough to see them through to the semi-final, although a win over England would see them finish top of the group. Add to that the historical connotations of a game between these sides, and there is no doubt that it could not be anything but competitive.

England coach, Pearce, speaking after Thursday's win over Spain, said: "England against Germany is a massive match and we are going to attempt to win. Every time those two countries play there is a lot on it.

"In these tournaments, if you take take your foot off the gas for one moment it's fatal. You never pick up the tempo again," he said.

Both teams impressed with solid team performances last time out and more will be expected tonight as the fans take up their seats in Halmstad's Ojans vall areana, the smallest in the tournament with a capacity of 7,500.

Pearce may be without Micah Richards and Gabriel Agbonlahor through injury but Michael Mancienne should return from suspension to partner Nedum Onuoha at the back. Frazier Campbell, who replaced Agbonlahor in the first half against Spain,  scoring England's first goal, could come in upfront.

It remains to be seen whether Theo Walcott's second-half cameo appearance last Thursday will be enough to have won him a starting berth. But with James Milner (pictured) suspended, he should take-up a position on the right wing.

Germany will be without Sebastian Boenisch, their left-back, who was injured in the first group game, so Mario Schmelzer will again take his place. There has also been some concern over Jerome Boateng's back but he should be passed fit to play.

Spain can only pip Germany to second spot if they beat Serbia and there is a four goal difference between the two matches. So even if Germany lose to England by one goal, Spain would need to win by three goals to qualify.

Photo credit: Vuhlser