Germany beat Serbia in last EURO test

Veteran striker Oliver Neuville and captain Michael Ballack saved Germany's blushes with second-half strikes on Saturday to seal a 2-1 win over Serbia in the hosts final Euro 2008 warm-up.

Chelsea midfielder Ballack unleashed a free-kick on 82 minutes to complete Germany's come-back after Neuville had equalised after Serbian midfielder Bosko Jankovic had grabbed a first-half goal.

Borussia Moenchengladbach forward Neuville, 35, scored his first international goal for almost two years on 74 minutes to put Germany level as the hosts looked to be heading for defeat.

With a week until his side begin their Euro 2008 campaign against Poland in Klagenfurt on June 8, this was the result Germany coach Joachim Löw wanted.

Friendly Match Germany - Serbia, Gelsenkirchen, May 31, 2008

After his side surrendered a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw with minnows Belarus on Tuesday night in Kaiserslautern, Löw had promised an improved performance and his side delivered despite their early set back.

Although Serbia - who lost out to Portugal and Poland in Euro 2008 qualification - led the home side for 74 minutes, Germany largely dominated the game.

The hosts fell behind on 18 minutes when a superb pass from midfielder Sasa Ilic split the defence and centre-back Christoph Metzelder was sluggish to respond as midfielder Bosko Jankovic sprinted into the penalty area. The 24-year-old made no mistake and drilled his shot through the legs of Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to give his side the lead.

More information about the "Mannschaft" can be found here.

[ar]

[bild1]

Veteran striker Oliver Neuville and captain Michael Ballack saved Germany's blushes with second-half strikes on Saturday to seal a 2-1 win over Serbia in the hosts final Euro 2008 warm-up.

Chelsea midfielder Ballack unleashed a free-kick on 82 minutes to complete Germany's come-back after Neuville had equalised after Serbian midfielder Bosko Jankovic had grabbed a first-half goal.

Borussia Moenchengladbach forward Neuville, 35, scored his first international goal for almost two years on 74 minutes to put Germany level as the hosts looked to be heading for defeat.

With a week until his side begin their Euro 2008 campaign against Poland in Klagenfurt on June 8, this was the result Germany coach Joachim Löw wanted.

Friendly Match Germany - Serbia, Gelsenkirchen, May 31, 2008

After his side surrendered a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw with minnows Belarus on Tuesday night in Kaiserslautern, Löw had promised an improved performance and his side delivered despite their early set back.

Although Serbia - who lost out to Portugal and Poland in Euro 2008 qualification - led the home side for 74 minutes, Germany largely dominated the game.

The hosts fell behind on 18 minutes when a superb pass from midfielder Sasa Ilic split the defence and centre-back Christoph Metzelder was sluggish to respond as midfielder Bosko Jankovic sprinted into the penalty area. The 24-year-old made no mistake and drilled his shot through the legs of Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to give his side the lead.

More information about the "Mannschaft" can be found here.