Determined Germany hold off Hungary

Germany secured top spot in Group A and a semi-final meeting with the Czech Republic with a deserved victory against a much-changed Hungary in Pribram.

Italy await
Both sides had already cemented their places in the last four with victories in their first two matches but Tibor Sisa's charges lost their perfect record thanks to Stefan Reinartz's powerful header and Marcel Risse's crashing drive. András Simon had levelled briefly for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship debutants, who will now face Group A winners Italy on Wednesday.

Seven changes
Hungary, requiring a win to overtake their opponents at the top, retained only four players from the side that guaranteed their place in the last four with a second tournament victory against Spain whereas Sven Bender, Savio Nsereko and Risse were the only newcomers to the Germany starting lineup following their convincing success against Bulgaria. It was little surprise, therefore, that Horst Hrubesch's men settled quicker and came close to opening in the first two minutes only for Hungary goalkeeper Péter Pokorni to make an outstanding double block, first repelling Dennis Naki's thumping drive then keeping out Nsereko's follow-up.

Reinartz header
Presentable chances were at a premium in the opening period despite Germany's superiority but a set-piece appeared to be a creative source they could tap into and so it proved as the opening goal arrived on 35 minutes. Naki's deep corner was met by a diving header from Reinartz and Pokorni's hand could only loop the ball into the air and over the line before László Szabó could clear from under his crossbar.

Chances spurned
The pattern of the match continued after the restart as Timo Gebhart's curling shot failed to catch out Pokorni while Germany's new players were determined to impress coach Hrubesch. Another corner caused panic in the Hungary defence with Bender's volley only failing to find the net thanks to the body of Dániel Lengyel and Risse twice hammering efforts just wide from distance.

German response
Their inability to convert proved costly as Simon equalised by placing his header over Ron-Robert Zieler after a sublime deep cross from Szabó. The goal over served to awaken Germany from their slumber, however, and within two minutes they were back in front as Naki advanced towards the Hungary box and slid in Risse who made amends for his earlier misses with a ferocious drive from a narrow angle to ensure his side would go through as group winners with a perfect record.