Germany looking good for last four

Germany are on the verge of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship semi-finals after today's 2-0 Group A victory over Spain at the Staffansvallen stadium.

Early success
Both teams tasted success in their opening games - Germany defeating France 3-2, and Spain accounting for Sweden 1-0 - and each knew three points in Staffanstorp would virtually guarantee them a place in the last four and qualification to this summer's FIFA World Cup in Canada.

Superb individual display
A first-half goal from right winger Annelie Brendel and Viola Odebrecht's late strike proved enough to see off Spain. Odebrecht's goal put the seal on a superb individual display which saw her crowned player of the match for the second game in succession.

Defender injured
Spain's pre-match plans were dashed by an early cartilage injury to Noelia Carrillo, a player who was at the heart of much of her side's finest play against Sweden. Even with her on the field it would have been difficult to stem the early tide of German pressure, however, as the group favourites won all the early battles, particularly the one in midfield where Odebrecht and captain Anne Sabel were in combative mood.

Headed opener
By the time Melisa Nocolau replaced Noelia in the ninth minute Germany had already gone close through Barbera Müller, who struck a fine hat-trick against France, and Anja Mittag. In the 16th minute Germany's pressure paid off as Brendel opened the scoring: Sabel collected the ball from a throw-in deep into Spain territory, slipped it to Isabelle Bachor whose teasing cross found the head of Brendel, the smallest player in the German side, at the far post.

Established a footing
The remainder of the half was fairly even as Spain established a footing in the game, but it was still Germany who created the clearest goalscoring opportunities. Müller and Odebrecht both failed to connect with teasing crosses, while Mittag only found the legs of María José Pons when attempting to pass the ball into the right-hand corner of the goalkeeper's net.

Ready to pounce
Spain came out strongly after the restart and substitute Margalida Mas chipped the ball over a German defender and volleyed it from 25 metres in one movement but Miriam Elling in the German goal was equal to it. Spain defender Saioa Gonzalez Villegas then tried her luck from even further out but Elling smothered the ball with Erika Vazquez, the goalscorer against Sweden, ready to pounce.

Stunning counter
Germany produced the finest move of the game with a stunning counterattack in the 52nd minute, with Odebrecht the instigator. The tall midfield player headed a Spain corner to Müller who ran in possession for 20 metres before releasing Isabelle Bachor down the left flank. The winger burst into the opposing area and squared for Odebrecht but she could not turn it in after running the length of the field.

Odebrecht 'honour'
Odebrecht was not to be denied three minutes from time, however, as she drilled in the second goal from a narrow angle after substitute Aferdita Kameraj picked her out with a header. Odebrecht admitted it was an "honour" to receive another player of the match award but was quick to praise her team-mates. "The team won the match not me," she said. "It is important that we play together."

'Room for improvement'
Her coach, Silvia Neid, was not enthralled by her side's display, saying: "I am happy with the three points but not the performance. Our defence was OK but the rest of our game was not up to much. We didn't play any good passing combinations. We were tired and therefore not as concentrated as usual and there is a lot of room for improvement."

'Fighting spirit'
Spain coach Ignacio Querada felt the result was an unfair one. "It was an equal, well-balanced game," he said. "We were unfortunate to concede the second goal which killed the game off. The early injury disrupted our play and we could have done without such a dramatic change. I am pleased with the way the players reacted to falling behind and also the fighting spirit."