Germany start with victory over Turkey

Germany made a winning start to UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round Group 4, beating Turkey in front of 6,500 fans in Krefeld.

Samed Yesil struck on 11 minutes and after a fine display by Germany goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos, Levent Aycicek doubled the lead just before the hour mark. However, Germany coach Steffen Freund recognised that finishing was the only difference between the teams.

Yesil certainly produced a clinical shot to put Germany ahead, but after that Vlachodimos was forced to put on a man of the match display, making four or five excellent saves late in the first half. That was rewarded when Yesil and Aycicek led a swift 58th-minute counterattack that made it 2-0 to Germany, who face Ukraine on Saturday after Turkey play Switzerland.

Freund said: "It was a very important win for my team. Our opponents played really well and created many good chances, but my goalkeeper was fantastic today. We won, but I have to say compliments to Turkey. I would not say that we deserved to win as they played worse, rather they just didn't take their chances."