Iceland leave holders Germany reeling

Holders Germany's hopes of reaching the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals hang in the balance after being held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland at the Magdeburg Stadium.

The 2009 champions twice led through goals from Timo Gebhart and Julian Schieber, but were pegged back by an Iceland side with real aspirations of qualifying for the finals for the first time.

Germany looked on course to narrow the gap on Group 5 leaders the Czech Republic when Gebhart headed in Felix Bastians' cross ten minutes in. The lead, however, was shortlived as only three minutes later Birkir Bjarnason dispossesed FC Bayern München defender Holger Badstuber and set up Kolbeinn Siegthórsson to score.

Germany regained the lead five minutes after the break when Schieber fired in from close range after Gebhart's initial strike had been blocked. Iceland had come into the game second in the section and as the competition's leading scorers. They proved why when Bjarni Vidarsson equalised for a second time with 13 minutes to play.

With the defence of their trophy on the line, Gebhart had a shot deflected on to the post then another blocked on the line in the final minute. Germany could not, however, find a way through leaving them third in the section on eight points from five games, seven behind the Czech Republic with Iceland second, just two points off top spot though they have played a game more.