Germany set up Spain showdown

Germany 2-1 Belgium
Germany progressed to meet Spain in the final of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Belgium in Lillestrøm which ensured Ulrich Stielike's side topped Group B.

Showpiece awaits
At half-time with the scores level, and England leading the Republic of Ireland 2-0, Germany's prospects of reaching the final were in some peril. However a second-half goal from David Odonkor eased them to victory, the top of Group B and a place in Sunday's showpiece final in the Ullevaal stadium.

Germany on the back foot
Belgium opened the game with their best attacking play of the tournament, putting Germany on the back foot. Just as the Germans were fighting their way back into the game, Belgium took a 32nd-minute lead. Kevin Vandenberg's perfectly-timed run into the box fooled the defence and he beat Daniel Haas with ease.

Parity restored
Within four minutes parity was restored, German captain Moritz Volz picked up the ball near the sideline, raced towards goal and his deflected shot fooled Belgian goalkeeper Sylvio Proto, who had replaced the injured Bram Verbist in the 22nd minute.

Odonkor winner
In the second half Stielike brought on Piotr Trochowski and David Odonkor, and they brought some life back to the German side. With good moves and quick passing the Germans put increased pressure on the Belgian defence. The goal that secured a place in the final came in the 72nd minute after a Belgian clearence had hit another Belgian defender in the back and the ball fell nicely to Odonkor who made no mistake beating Proto.

'It was very difficult'
After the game Germany coach Ulrich Stielike said: "It was very difficult for us, we played without accuracy and without confidence. I think the reason was the mental pressure on the players. It was our plan to use a rotation system so that we had fresh players for every group game, but the players did not look fresh today."

'I see Germany as outsiders'
He then continued: "But we have reached all of our three goals for the tournament and must be pleased. I see Germany as outsiders in the final, Spain have more playing power and have one rest day more than us."

Van Geersom pleased
Meanwhile Belgium coach Marc Van Geersom was pleased with his side's effforts, but disappointed that his side were edged into fourth place in the group and therefore failed to qualify for the FIFA World Youth Championship.

'Good collective effort'
"We made a good collective effort, but we were unlucky on the German goals," he said. "The Germans were better than us today and deserved to win. My players were tired, and in the second half we could not hold on to the ball. It was a tough group with four good teams, but I think Germany was the best and deserved to go to the final. Our goal was to capture a place in the World Cup, and with a little bit more luck we could have managed to get there."