Slick Netherlands overwhelm Germany

Feyenoord duo Jerson Cabral and Rick van Haaren got the goals as the Netherlands booked their passage to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with a 3-0 victory against 2008 winners Germany.

Just a point separated the teams going into the final round of matches in elite round Group 6, but there was a gulf between them on the pitch as the home side dominated from the moment Cabral broke the deadlock on seven minutes. Two goals either side of half-time from Van Haaren sealed victory and top spot in the section as the Jong Oranje join Italy, Spain, Portugal and hosts France as confirmed finalists this summer.

With Slovakia losing elsewhere to Poland, Germany would have advanced with a win in Venlo but when Cabral rifled into the top corner that looked unlikely. They had their moments, Peniel Mlapa having a header cleared off the goal line and a shot turned around the post, before Van Haaren made it 2-0 eight minutes before half-time after good work from Cabral.

His second – the Netherlands' third – was all down to the No10, though, as seven minutes after the restart he picked up the loose ball in midfield and, spotting goalkeeper Björn Bussmann off his line, fired in from 40 metres.

Wim van Zwam, the Netherlands coach, told UEFA.com: "Having analysed Germany in their previous matches I knew we stood a chance of beating them, but I didn't really expect to beat them 3-0. We deserved to win, but we also scored the goals at the right moment."