Euro Under-21’s: Rampant Germans break England hearts

ENG U21 0-4 GER U21

Efficiency was the key word here, as England U21 were beaten by their German counterparts in the European Under-21 Championship final in Malmo.

Each side had a similar amount of possesion and chances, but the Young Lions could not stop the Germans taking their chances, and likewise could not find the net at the other end

The Germans went ahead when Mesut Ozil went past Martin Cranie and cleverly found Gonzalo Castro, who slotted home.

Soon after the break, goalkeeper Scott Loach misjudged Ozil’s free-kick and palmed the ball into the net.

After England’s Lee Cattermole hit the bar, and a host of other close opportunities, Sandro Wagner collected Ozil’s pass and fired through Loach’s legs and also curled in Germany’s fourth. Despite Wagner’s late double, it was the outstanding Ozil who was England’s chief tormentor. The Werder Bremen playmaker produced several moments of class and always looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

England, on the other hand, struggled without suspended forwards Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer Campbell, and goalkeeper Joe Hart, all of whom were sorely missed.

Stuart Pearce claims that the defeat made him feel “hurt” and “hungrier”, and he will need to transfer this passion into results in the next campaign with a new-look squad. England were unfortunate, but will have gained plenty of experience nevertheless, with a strong team that should be able to make the cut at senior level when needed.