Balitsch gives Germany the edge

By Mark Bennett in Leverkusen

An early goal from Hanno Balitsch gave Germany a 1-0 advantage after the first leg of the play-off for the final tournament of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Narrow lead
The Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfield player found the net 14 minutes into the game at the BayArena – Leverkusen's home ground – to give his side a slender advantage to defend in the second leg at Fenerbahçe SK's Sükrü Saraçoglu ground in Istanbul on 18 November.

Promising start
Both sides began the match in attacking fashion, and each might have taken the lead in the opening exchanges. Striker Mike Hanke and midfield player Thomas Hitzlsperger both had early efforts turned away inside the opening five minutes for the hosts. Meanwhile, at the other end Hamit Altintop's corner was met by a diving header from Ibrahim Toraman, but German goalkeeper Tim Wiese was equal to it, producing a fine reflex save to frustrate the Turkish defender and keep the scoresheet blank.

Balitsch pounces
A minute before the quarter-hour, the home side made the breakthrough their positive start had threatened. Turkish goalkeeper Volkan Damirel failed to hold Thomas Broich's shot and Balitsch was left with an open goal, the midfield player tapping in from close range.

Pace slows
The tempo of the game dropped after the goal, with Germany seemingly content to protect their lead while the visitors were unwilling to commit sufficient players forward to seriously threaten an equaliser.

Sinan saved
Turkey began the second period in more positive fashion, however, and might have equalised nine minutes after half-time as substitute Sinan Kaloglu evaded the attentions of German defender Björn Schlicke inside the penalty area. Once more, however, Wiese was on hand to deny the striker.

All to play for
The goalkeeper made another important save with 20 minutes remaining, as his 1. FC Kaiserslautern team-mate Halil Altintop burst clear only to be foiled by Wiese yet again. Both sides might have scored in the closing stages but neither could, to leave the tie intriguingly poised ahead of the second match.