Russia advance as Group B winners, Germany out
Monday, July 13, 2015
Article summary
Russia 2-2 Germany
Russia were behind early on and then ahead in Katerini, Dmitri Khomukha's team ultimately booking their place in the last four as Group B winners.
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Article body
• Russia qualify as Group B winners after 2-2 draw with holders Germany
• Thilo Kehler gives Germany the lead in the 12th minute
• The Germany No6 then scores an unfortunate own goal to bring Russia level
• Igor Bezdenezhnykh gives Russia the advantage; Timo Werner equalises
• Russia will play hosts Greece in the last four on Thursday
Russia got the Group B draw they needed to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, sharing four goals with Germany in Katerini.
Thilo Kehler was hero and then villain for Germany, putting Marcus Sorg's men in front before turning the ball into his own net for Russia's equaliser. Just before half-time, Igor Bezdenezhnykh gave Russia the lead, but Germany made things interesting when Timo Werner replied.
The result in the other game, a 1-1 draw between Spain and the Netherlands, means Russia go through as section winners. Germany, triumphant 12 months ago, head home despite finishing level on points with their opponents.
After withstanding a bright opening from Russia, Germany forced a corner in the 12th minute. Luca Waldschmidt delivered to the near post and Werner's header was touched onto the crossbar by Anton Mitryushkin – Kehrer was on hand to bundle the rebound in.
The same combination almost led to a second, with Werner again meeting a corner at the near post but his attempt this time lacking direction. The Stuttgart striker also had a goal disallowed for offside as Germany looked to turn the screw.
That they did not proved costly when Russia levelled from a corner of their own. Germany failed to clear their lines sufficiently and Bezdenezhnykh's shot was turned in unwittingly by Kehrer. It sparked a reversal in the flow of the game, with Russia now in the ascendency, and Dmitri Khomukha's charges would have forged ahead had Marius Funk not kept out Aleksei Gasilin's effort.
Russia snatched the lead in first-half added time when Bezdenezhnykh placed a shot into the bottom left-hand corner of Funk's goal. Bezdenezhnykh again went close, Funk making a great reflex save to keep Germany in the game with half an hour remaining. It was then Russia's turn to regret not taking their chances, Werner restoring parity with 25 minutes left as the Russia defence parted and invited him to shoot past Mitryushkin.
Werner and Ramil Sheydaev both missed chances as the game opened up, while Ayaz Guliev rattled the crossbar late on with a long-range free-kick.
Reaction
Dmitri Khomukha, Russia coach
We've got through from such a strong group and now we'll try to beat Greece. We were European [U17] champions [in 2013], so of course we have a lot of confidence in ourselves and we wanted to win every game in the group.
Marcus Sorg, Germany coach
We put a lot into the game once again, did a lot of running and fought our way into it well. Unfortunately, the [first] goal didn't give us the assurance we had hoped for in our passing against a very well-organised Russia side who waited for chances on the counterattack. We put so much into it but didn't get our reward, and in a knockout game like this one that means it's now over. I'm sorry for the players, but that's part of the game. Now we've got to ensure that we take this experience with us and those who get to play in a tournament like this again will learn from this.
