Match Report: England v Germany

Jack Rodwell produced a commanding performance in midfield to send England through to the semi-finals as group winners in Halmstad on Monday night. 

The Everton prodigy's first-half bullet header cancelled out an earlier strike by Gonzalo Castro which had given Germany hope that they could beat their old adversaries.

Stuart Pearce, the England Under-21 coach made wholesale changes to the starting line up, with only Adam Johnson from the first eleven agaisnt Spain retaining his place in the side.

Danny Rose, Richard Stearman, James Tomkins, Andrew Driver and goalkeeper Scott loach, all made their first appearcances of the tournament. It was a gamble, but one Pearce thought worth taking as quaification for the last four was already ensured.

The setting could not have been better. Orjans vall, Halmstad's 7,500 seater stadium is nestled among the reeds on the banks of the Nissan river. This tranquility was disrupted briefly at the kick-off as a group of German fans behind the goal set off a banger, shaking te stadiums foundations and waking most of us out of our mid-summer slumber. What's more the smoke from the flare shrouded half of the pitch in a dense fog.

Minutes after the fog had dissipated, Germany were in-front. Athletic defender, Jerome Boateng, slid an inch-perfect through-ball to Gonzalo Castro. Michael Mancienne must have still had smoke in his eyes as he failed to track the winger. The Bayer Leverkusen winger took a first touch to set himself and then dispatched a cool finish between the legs of Loach. WIth only four minutes gone, England's players must have been wondering whether their coach had led them to the slaughterhouse.

The Germans looked confident having scored the goal, but England gradually took control. Jack Rodwell was everywhere, making crucnching challenges, charging forward and organising the midfield. Craig Gardner, the England captain, was also putting in a commanding performance, which may go some way towards persuading his club manager Martin O'Neill to hold fire on purchasing a replacment for Gareth Barry.

Danny Rose, supporting Frazier Campbell upfront, was also playing well on his competitive debut, as was Andrew Driver on the right. The Scotland-based wiger had previously had the opportunity to play for Scotland, but having made his competitive debut here, he will only be able to conitnue his international career with the Three Lions.

After a bright start, Germany were suddenly limited to counter-attacks as England's players passed the ball around with confidence. Jack Rodwell nearly equalised for England, rising above the defence to make contact with Craig Gardner's corner, but he could not direct his header downwards. But it was a warning for Germany.

The warning was not heeded as in the 29th minute, the man dubbed by some as the new Rio Ferdinand, rose majestically to meet another corner. This time he made better contact and sent a thumping header into the bottom corner. Cue celebrations among the travelling England contingent.

Rodwell could have had his, and England's, second soon afterwards as he beat Sami Khedeira to a ball on the halfway line and went on marauding 50 yard run, reminiscnet of Ferdinand in his West Ham days. Rodwell jinked past Howedes and let fly from the edge of the box, sadly for him though it went high and wide.

Germany were struggling to get to grips with the tempo England were setting and went into half-time decidedly second-best - but with the scores level it was still anyone's for the taking.

Pearce decided to introduce Joe Lewis, the Peterborough goalkeeper, at half time. Lewis had until this point been the only member of the squad not to have played a part in the tournament.

The second half started as the first ended, with England in complete control. Germany were reduced to long shots and break-aways but never really looked assured in front of goal.

Theo Walcott was introduced with just over 30 minutes remaining, replacing Frazier Campbell as the lone front man. The Arsenal forward has been used sparingly in the tournament and was again given only a limited time to impress.

Mesut Ozil, Germany's stand-out performer so far in the tournament, tried to create openings for himself but each time the England defence stood firm. Gemany's best chance to clinch a winning goal came from Benedikt Howedes as he ghosted away from his marker at the near post to connect to a corner - but he could only direct his header wide of Lewis' goal.

England had a chance of their own with 12 minutes remaining. Richard Stearman found the ball at his feet after Neuer failed to claim a corner, but after taking one touch too many, the German defence closed him down and his shot was blocked.

Adam Johnson (pictured) was named as the official man of the match, but many would agree that Rodwell's was the stand-out performance for England, leaving Pearce with a headache in terms of team selection for the semi-final. 

As the final whistle blew, Pearce would have been content knowing that his gamble had paid off and what's more knowing that his team had outclassed arguably Germany's strongest eleven. Germany will, no doubt, want to impress again though and who knows a date with England in the final may await, a mouthwatering prospect.

The other game in Group B finished with Spain beating Finland by two goals to nil. Marc Torrejon and Pedro Leon scored for the third placed team, but with Germany gaining the point they needed to progress, the result was insignificant in terms of group standings.


Photo credit - p_a_h

Match Report: Serbia v Belarus

Zoran Tosic looks to have a big future at Manchester United. The little Serb ran the midfield in what was a game full of life but which ultimately ended with few clear-cut chances.

With Cristiano Ronaldo depafted to Madrid, Tosic showed that we could one-day fill his boots with a performance of creative passing, fleet-footed running and an abundance of skill. Like Ronaldo he floated between the right, the left and often found himself upfront.

With a large group of their Sweden-based fans behind the goal, Serbia would have felt as though this was a home fixture but despite the best attempts of the crowd the game petered out into a goalless draw, the second in succession for Serbia. Slobodan Krcmarevic, the Serbian coach said: "I cannot be satisfied with everything, we had initiaitve throughout the game but we were not on the top level in the last third of the pitch. I know that we have top class players but we were not good in the final actions."

After a quiet first 10 minutes the game suddenly burst into life with chances at either end. First Sergei Krivets, the Belarus captain, forced a good save from Zeljko Brkic in the Serbia goal with a dipping shot. 

Then Zoran Tosic raced up the other end and cut inside onto his left-foot, his low shot was heading for the bottom right corner, but Pavel Chesnovski managed to get an unconvincing hand on it to turn it wide.

Gojko Kacar and Tosic were starting to dominate the Belorussians towards the end of the first half, but they could not manage to make a breakthrough.

The second half started in much the same vain. Belarus were limited to quick breaks and long shots, while Serbia looked to capitalise on Tosic's setpieces.

Serbia's best chance of the night came in the 81st minute. Tosic curled a free-kick onto the head of Kacar who headed it into the path of Vukovic. The defender managed to somehow lift it over the keeper but also the bar from just two yards out, it was surely easier to score.

That proved to be the last clear-cut chance of the match although a few Belarus hearts skipped a beat in the dying  seconds as Tosic lined up a free-kick from just outside the box, but his dipping effort landed on the roof of the net with Chesnovski beaten. 

The results means Belarus will take no further part in the tournament, while Serbia go into their next match against Sweden knowing that only a win will see them progress. Sweden, meanwhile, only need a draw to make it through to the semi-finals.

Serbia coach, Slobodan Krcmarevic was no overly concerned that his team now have to beat Sweden to qualify, he said: "I don't think that the fact they only need one point against us is a big advantage for them because in a match like that everything is open and one goal can change the situation. We need a victory of course and I still believe that we have very good qualities individually and I still think we have a very good team and we will be much better than today."

Meanwhile Italy beat hosts Sweden by two goals to one. Italy took the lead through Mario Balotelli (pictured) after 23 minutes, who was sent-off for a kicking out 15 minutes later. Robert Aquafresca added a second and Ola Toivonen pulled one back in the final minute but it wasn't enough for the Swedes who drop to second in the group.

Photo Credit: Segnaleorario

Match Report: England v Spain

Theo Walcott and Frazier Campbell came off of the bench to inspire an England win against pre-tournament favourites Spain in Gothenburg on Tuesday night.

Campbell scored the first goal after Mario Suarez mis-hit a pass setting the Manchester United player through, he turned the last defender inside out before coolly slotting low past the impressive Sergio Asenjo in the Spanish goal.

Walcott’s blistering pace helped to set up the second goal. The Arsenal winger picked it up on the left and outpaced Javi Garcia towards the byline, his cut-back was driven home by Milner to put the game beyond the Spaniards.

England coach Stuart Pearce said: “I said a week ago before we left the shores of England that Theo will be treated like any other player of the squad of 23. What I do ask form the players is if they are left away from it for any reason that they give a reaction when they step over the line, and I think you saw exactly what Theo is about as a player and as a man today.”

It was a tight opening and Spain were controlling the game from midfield. Atletico Madrid playmaker, Raul Garcia was confidently spraying the ball around and Jose Miguel Jurado looked lively.

They could have taken the lead early on when Nedum Onuoha’s back-pass was wayward and Hart had to scramble to kick it off the line.

While Spain continued to try to create openings, England slowly but surely asserted their influence on the game dominating in certain areas with their pace and power. 

Muamba in the holding midfield berth and Onuoha and Richards at the back helped to contain the relatively ineffectual Bojan and Adrian Lopez.

England soon had a chance to take the lead. Milner was quick to dispossess Javi Garcia in the 32^nd minute after a poor pass out of goal from Asenjo, The Aston Villa man ran into the box but as he turned, he was tripped by the Spanish number four.

Milner stepped-up but his low shot was saved by Asenjo, the Real Vallodolid ‘keeper, justifying the hype surrounding him.

Spain also had a couple of chances to take the lead. Javi Martinez outpaced Gibbs on the right and Hart came out into no-man’s land on the edge of the box. The Spaniard easily rounded him but his cross, come shot, was cleared in the goalmouth by Martin Crainie.

Agbonlahor picked up a calf injury and was replaced by Campbell towards the end of the first half.

England started the second half much the brighter of the two sides. Cattermole, Muamba and Milner had gained control of midfield and Campbell was making good runs upfront.

Theo Walcott was soon brought into the action, adding penetration on the left, meanwhile Spain had taken off Bojan, usually their most potent threat, after an quiet game.

The thousand or so England fans could start to dream of the semi-finals in the 67^th minute.  Milner pressured Mario Suarez, whose through ball sent Campbell through.

There was a lot of work still to be done, but Campbell showed composure to make space and score - no wonder Hull are so keen to sign him.

Now England were in complete control.  Every Spanish attack was thwarted by Richards and Onuoha, who seemed to block everything put in front of them.

Soon it was two-nil. Theo Walcott picked the ball up on the left and pushed it five yards in front of him, it was a straight race between him and Javi Garcia, and the England man was always going to win it. As he reached the byline he looked up and cut the ball back for Milner who smashed the ball into the net.

With seventeen minutes of the game remaining England could start to look ahead to the last four.

England dominated the rest of the match while Spain were limited to half chances, the only incident of note being James Milner’s yellow card which rules him out of the game against Germany. With England through, this may have been tactical.

Richards complimented the performance of Muamba in midfield. Richards, the man of the match, said: “Fabrice Muamba was my man of the match, he gave 110 per cent they found it hard to break us down and he was key to that and broke down anything that came in his way. And credit to Theo Walcott when he came on I think he changed the game and he set up the goal and we are happy to take three points.”

Pearce agreed: “That’s as good a performance in a holding midfield role as you’ll ever see and probably without him we’d have lost.”

Pearce who made his debut as Under-21 manager against Spain two years ago believes that the spirit within the squad has been key to their progression, he said: “The dynamic within the group at the moment is as good as I’ve known it and there’s a spirit in there and that spirit is enhanced by the fact that the likes of James Milner and Theo Walcott having been with the seniors coming here and being treated like everybody else.”

Pearce insists that he will not let the players take the foot off the gas in their next game against Germany despite having already qualified, but he can already start planning for a trip to either Gothenburg or Helsingborg in the last four.

Meanwhile, the other match in Group B between Germany and Finland finished 2-0 to the Germans, lifting them to second, two points behind England and three ahead of Spain. Two second half goals in three minutes from Benedikt Howedes and Ashkan Dejagah saw the dogged Finnish team off after a tight first period.

 

 Photo Credit: Rob TM

Match Report: Sweden v Belarus

A hat-trick from Marcus Berg gave the hosts a perfect start to the tournament after a comfortable 5-1 win against Belarus.

Sweden had to come from behind though as Dinamo Minsk midfielder Sergei Kislyak put the Eastern Europeans in the lead in the 33rd minute with a sumptuous long-range strike.

Their lead did not last long though as Rasmus Elm equalised within a minute, but it was Berg who had the final say.

The FC Groningen striker, who has netted 35 times for his club in the past two seasons,  put the Swedes out of sight with two neat finishes and a scrappy third.

Sweden looked solid at the start but they went behind in the 33rd minute when Kislyak hit a fierce shot into the top right hand corner of the net to take a surprise lead.

Sweden were soon level though when Rasmus Elm's shot deflected into the net by  and they looked to press on from there.

Sweden's front two, Ola Toivonen and Berg, were causing problems upfront. Toivonen couldn't get his name on the scoresheet, but his strike partner did. 

Berg's first came after some neat footwork made space in the area, and he coolly placed the ball past the Belorussian goalkeeper Pavel Chesnovski. The defending was questionable but it was a good finish.

His second was another calm finish with the outside of his right-boot driven low past the goalkeeper. 

Elm sent Berg through on goal and his attempted lob was touched by the goalkeeper as he collided with his defender, but it looped towards the goal and bounced over the line to make it 4-1.

The striker could have had a fourth late on as his header was saved by Chevnovski after some good play down the right.

Sweden did have a fifth soon afterwards as Gustav Svensson picked the ball up 25 yards out and hit a rasping shot into the top corner.

Game over, and this result will give the hosts confidence ahead of their game with on Friday against group favourites, Italy.

Photo Credit: Antoon

Match Report: Spain v Germany

Germany and Spain held each other to a goalless draw despite a lively encounter.

Spain, the favourites for the tournament according to some,  looked the most likely to score out of the two sides. A header by Marc Torrejon in the first half, which rebounded off of the bar, being the closest either side came to scoring.

Germany took the game to Spain in the opening minutes, midfielder Mesut Ozil, playing off the front, was starting to cause the Spanish defence problems with his trickery and pace.

Bojan Krkic (pictured) was also looking lively for the Spanish at the other end.

It was Spain who had the first chance however when Chico, the Spanish defender found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper in a crowded area. His shot was saved as Manuel Neuer in the German goal spread himself to block the shot.

Marc Torrejon came even closer soon afterwards when his thumping header came crashing off of the bar.

Germany were also creating chances of their own and Ozil made space inside the area after going past two players, but his shot was saved by Sergio Asenjo. Marko Marin's shot soon afterwards clipped the edge of the post.

The Germans continued to create chances in the second half and Ozil had a couple of efforts saved by Sergio Asenjo in the Spanish goal.

It was an entertaining contest and the 0-0 scoreline didn't do justice to the game. Both teams would be disappointed with only pocking up a point but they will both be confident of progression to the semi-finals.

Photo Credit: Corsarz

Match Report: England v Finland

A powerful header by Micah Richards gave the young lions a 2-1 win against a strong and determined Finland side despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Micah Richards leapt above the Finnish defence to meet a corner by James Milner sending the ball into the bottom corner in the 52nd minute.

England had taken the lead on 15 minutes when Lee Cattermole capitalised on defensive hesitation and paced the ball past Finland goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola,  but Finland equalised from the penalty spot  when Michael Mancienne (pictured) brought down Berat Sadik in the area. The Chelsea defender was sent off for the challenge.

It was a tentative start by England and Finland looked comfortable in possession. It was England however who drew first blood. Gabriel Agbonlahor dispossessed Joni Aho at right-back. He played the ball across the box, while the defence hesitated, and Cattermole nipped in to hit a low shot past the goalkeeper.

Finland responded well though with Sadik in particular causing problems in the England defence. He chased onto a long ball and Joe Hart in the England goal and his defender, Mancienne,  seemed to leave the ball to each other. Mancienne however managed to get the ball away.

Mancienne was not so lucky just before half-time when Sadik got the better him inside the area, and  the Chelsea man brought the Finn down for a penalty.

The Turkish referee sent Mancienne off for his efforts. Former Southampton man, Tim Sparv, stepped up to send Hart the wrong way and raced into the vocal Finnish crowd.

It looked like an uphill struggle for England, they were second best in the game and now down to ten men. Martin Crainie stepped in for Mancienne at centre-back and Milner moved back to occupy the right-back position.

Theo Walcott, who had had a fairly ineffectual game was replaced at half-time by Frazier Campbell raising a few eyebrows.

But the substitution seemed to galvanize England and they took the lead when, in the 53rd minute, Richards towering header nestled in the bottom corner of the net from Milner's corner.

Goalscorer Richards was then taken off with an injury after landing awkwardly adding to England's defensive woes.

With only ten men, England were coping well and the Finns were limited to a couple of long shots until substitute Pukki wriggled clear in the box. The Sevilla striker shot from a narrow angle and Hart parried the ball, it was then hurriedly cleared by the defence.

The young lions held out however, and go into their next game against Spain top of the group knowing a victory would be enough to take them through.

Photo Credit: John_Dobbo