Stalemate sends Spain through

Spain are through to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-finals as the winners of Group A following a 0-0 draw in Eupen which ends Germany's challenge despite a 2-2 draw between France and Ukraine in the other group game.

Camacho shot
With Germany in need of a win to be assured of a semi-final place the onus was on Paul Schomann‘s side to make the running. However, it was group leaders Spain who looked more assured in possession and they had the first attempt on goal when Ignacio Camacho's deflected shot (12) from the edge of the area was saved by Fabian Giefer. Sascha Bigalke briefly threatened for Germany on the half-hour when he wriggled into the area but no one was on hand to latch on to his cut-back and Yelco Ramos smothered the ball.

Bigalke influence
Bigalke then found Dennis Dowidat with a clever reverse pass over the Spanish defence but Dowidat's first touch cost him a shooting opportunity. Spain also began the second period more positively, Lucas Porcar firing over from range. Ximo then surprised Giefer with a run and shot from distance which the keeper spilled wide in the worsening weather conditions.

Germany misses
Richard Sukuta-Pasu had Germany's first shot on target on 52 minutes when he powered his way past the Spanish rearguard and forced Yelco into a diving save and the substitute squandered his side's best chance when he miscued in front of goal following good wing-play by Dowidat. Within a minute Toni Kroos swerved his way into the area before sending a dipping shot just over the bar but Spain finished strongly, substitute Bojan Krkić sidefooting wide when clean through on goal two minutes from time. Despite Ukraine's draw against France, Germany lost out to Les Mini-Bleus on goal difference. They will play one more match in Belgium, though, a fifth-place play-off in Vise on Thursday for a FIFA U-17 World Cup berth.