Pusch penalty gets Germany going
Thursday, March 25, 2010
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Hungary 0-1 Germany
The holders made a good start to their elite round campaign thanks to Kolja Pusch's first-half penalty.
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UEFA European Under-17 Championship holders Germany won their elite round Group 6 opener, with Kolja Pusch's 17th-minute penalty proving decisive.
Hungary were given few chances by a Germany side hoping to emulate the class of 2009/10, who won the trophy on home soil, and Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder Pusch, the team's most-capped player, made no mistake with his spot kick. " His team face hosts Switzerland on Saturday while Hungary will look to recover against the other Matchday 1 winners, Serbia.
In the second minute Hungary goalkeeper Dávid Dombó did well to keep out Shawn Parker's free-kick and also denied Sonny Kittel. However, Kittel was felled in the area shortly afterwards and Pusch converted. Hungary were given few chances and late on Dombó had to save from Johannes Geis and in added time Germany substitute Murat Bildirici missed with the goal gaping.
Germany coach Stefan Böger said: "We were very confident in the first half but we lost the thread in the second half. We have to win more tackles in the next matches. In the end it was a hard-earned victory." Hungary's Frigyes Tuboly added: "Germany are very strong, so I'm proud of my team. It would not have taken much for us to draw."
