Germany reached the final of the under 21 European Championship after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win over England in Tychy.
Goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck was the spot kick hero, saving two efforts to send his side into Friday’s showpiece final.
Goals from Davie Selke and Felix Platte helped Stefan Kuntz’s side to a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes, as the junior Mannschaft were forced to come from behind after goals from Demarai Gray and Tammy Abraham put England 2-1 up.
Spain will be the opponents on Friday night, as they defeated Germany’s Group C conquerors Italy 3-1 on Tuesday evening.
An enthralling encounter started fast and Pollersbeck needed to be alert to make two point blank saves in the early stages, while Germany went close through efforts from Serge Gnabry and Jeremy Toljan.
It was the latter’s cross which set up Selke to open the scoring with ten minutes left of the first half.
England leveled soon after though, when Demarai Gray fired home from close range after the Germany failed to deal with a corner.
Aidy Boothroyd’s men then completed the turnaround early into the second period, as Abraham found space in the six yard box to give his country the lead.
Germany reached the final of the under 21 European Championship after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win over England in Tychy.
Goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck was the spot kick hero, saving two efforts to send his side into Friday’s showpiece final.
Goals from Davie Selke and Felix Platte helped Stefan Kuntz’s side to a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes, as the junior Mannschaft were forced to come from behind after goals from Demarai Gray and Tammy Abraham put England 2-1 up.
Spain will be the opponents on Friday night, as they defeated Germany’s Group C conquerors Italy 3-1 on Tuesday evening.
An enthralling encounter started fast and Pollersbeck needed to be alert to make two point blank saves in the early stages, while Germany went close through efforts from Serge Gnabry and Jeremy Toljan.
It was the latter’s cross which set up Selke to open the scoring with ten minutes left of the first half.
England leveled soon after though, when Demarai Gray fired home from close range after the Germany failed to deal with a corner.
Aidy Boothroyd’s men then completed the turnaround early into the second period, as Abraham found space in the six yard box to give his country the lead.
It was Selke’s replacement Platte who nodded the Germans level as he converted Maxi Arnold’s cross, and the Schalke youngster could have had another moments later, only for his header to be contentiously ruled out for offside.
Kuntz’s side dominated extra time and when the final whistle blew they had amassed 38 efforts on goal to England’s 17.
But a penalty shootout always comes down to nerves and Germany held theirs better to book their spot in a first European final at under-21 level since 2009.
Wolfsburg’s Yannick Gerhardt was denied by Jordan Pickford, but Pollersbeck was on hand to turn the tables by thwarting Abraham and Nathan Redmond to send Germany through and spark jubilant scenes at the final whistle.
