German U21 books Olympic ticket | Sports | '
With a hard-fought draw and a bit of luck, Germany's Under-21 footballers have made their third European Championship semi-final in a row and the ticket to the Olympics 2020 perfect. The selection of coach Stefan Kuntz brought on Sunday in Udine in an intense match a 1-1 (1-1) against Austria. The point handed the DFB youngsters to group victory. Possible semi-final opponents of the defending champions are now hosting Italy, France or Romania on Thursday.
Top scorer Luca Waldschmidt had brought Germany ahead of 9100 spectators with a dream goal (14th minute), the Augsburg Kevin Danso scored to compensate (24./Foulelfmeter). After two victories in the first two European Championship games, the German team had to fight against the newcomer to Europe for a long time to progress. Austria are just as eliminated as Denmark, who beat Serbia 2-0.
Austria is eliminated
DFB scorer Waldschmidt said: "The Austrians were fully involved right from the start and made it difficult for us as a team, we feel good, which gives us strength and energy for new tasks.
However, the Kuntz-Elf did not start as strong as last against Serbia. Instead, Austria – even with chances to the semi-finals and four league professionals in the starting eleven started – in the initial phase, the more active team. One minute after the first big chance of Austria, as striker Sasa Kalajdzic missed the ball just in front of goal, struck out of nowhere goalscorer Waldschmidt again: The brilliant shot of Freiburg from 25 yards struck unsustainable in Torwinkel. For the 23-year-old, it was the fifth tournament goal in the third game.
Nübel in the German goal, causer of the penalty for Austria, can not prevent the 0: 1 by Danso (l.)
As Germany got the game just better under control, there was the third penalty kick against the DFB selection in this tournament. Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel came out of the free kick and took the ball – but also hit Kalajdzic with his knee in the head. Danso converted the penalty, although Nübel guessed the right corner.
Strong nubbly with high knee
The DFB team had problems with the bissig and disciplined occurring Austrians. Nübel saved his team with a strong reflex against Kalajdzic's header (34 '). A shot from Bremer Marco Friedl flew only by centimeters by the gate, a header from Kalajdzic clapped to the post – the DFB youngsters were lucky not to fall behind.
The German appearance in the third group game was anything but sovereign. Nübel had to save against Husein Balic, who appeared free in front of the German goal, again the draw (57.). Austria bothered again and again early, which is why the German team had problems in the game structure. Offensively, the team came only isolated to good situations, but in the end, after all, saved the 1-1 over time. In the semi-final, fullback Benjamin Henrichs will miss after seeing the second yellow card.
to (dpa)
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