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European Under-21s Championship | Group Stage
Jun 23, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 

1-1

Krejci (66')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Schulz (55')

Live Commentary: Czech Republic Under-21s 1-1 Germany Under-21s - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Czech Republic Under-21s 1-1 Germany Under-21s - as it happened: ID:229912: from db_amp
Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the European Under-21 Championship match between Germany Under-21s and Czech Republic Under-21s.

Germany Under-21s have progressed to the semi-finals at the European Under-21 Championship with a 1-1 draw against host nation the Czech Republic Under-21s.

Nico Schulz put the Germans ahead before Ladislav Kreji levelled for the home side, who needed to win to make it out of the group.

The result means that Germany finish second in Group A, and will face the winners of Group B in the last four.

Read how all the action unfolded below.

Good evening! Pre-tournament favourites Germany Under-21s and host nation Czech Republic Under-21s go head-to-head this evening as they both hope to clinch a place in the last four. Let's start with a look at the team news.
CZECH REPUBLIC STARTING XI: Koubek, Kaderabek, Brabec, Hybs, Kalas, Petrak, Zmrhal, Kliment, Frydek, Travnik, Skalak
GERMANY STARTING XI: Ter Stegen, Korb, Gunter, Ginter, Schulz, Heintz, Can, Kimmich, Younes, Meyer, Volland
Both sides have made just one change for this evening's clash in Prague, with Vaclav Kadlec missing out after picking up an ankle injury against Serbia, leaving Michal Travnik to come in up front. For Germany, Christian Gunter is available again after serving a suspension last time out, so he returns in place of Leonardo Bittencourt.
For Germany, the path to the semi-finals is simple - avoid defeat tonight and they're through. The other two sides in this group are also in action tonight, and the Czech Republic's future in this tournament is dependent on that result, as they need a better result against Germany than Denmark get against Serbia. However, a Serbia win and a Czech loss would send Serbia through as runners-up to Germany, so they need a bit of luck in the other fixture, which you can follow here.
Ahead of this match, Czech coach Jakub Dovalil told reporters: "Our self-confidence is higher after such a victory, of course. But now we are going to play against a very strong opponent in Germany and I think they have not shown their best at the tournament yet. I don't think there's any kind of overwhelming euphoria in the team that we would need to calm down. Coaches and players play football for a chance to be involved in games like this. We cannot beat Germany regularly, but we can in a one-off match. It is enough to look at the statistics to see what a strong team they are, but we will have a full stadium behind us, and this may be a great help."
Meanwhile, Horst Hrubesch, the Germany coach, said in his pre-match press conference: "These are the kinds of games you want. We'll be playing in front of a sell-out crowd, and we know it won't be easy. No team is through yet. Whoever loses the game here will have a problem ending the group stage successfully. We've seen in this tournament that it's difficult for every team whenever their opponents take the game in hand. If the Czechs are able to build pressure as they did in the opening phase against Serbia, there's no team here they can't beat."
Jan Kliment will a crucial player for the Czech Republic this evening, particularly with Kadlec sidelined. The young striker netted a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Serbia, on what was just his fourth appearance for the Unders. Pavel Kaderabek, who is the Czech league's player of the year, has also been having an excellent tournament, proving as much of an asset at front as in defence.
For Germany, Emre Can has been the stand-out performer so far, netting the equaliser in the draw with Serbia, while creating plenty against Denmark. Captain Kevin Volland also found his form last time out, netting a brace against Denmark to help the side to their first win of the tournament.
Germany actually played the Czech Republic in a friendly in this stadium just seven months ago. On that occasion, the sides shared a 1-1 draw. They'll both be hoping to do better than that this evening.
Here's the Czech side warming up a short time ago. They'll be heading back out ready for kickoff soon:

PREDICTION! The players are getting ready in the tunnel ahead of kickoff, so it's time to make a prediction. Both sides looked below par in their opening matches before turning on the class on the second matchday. If they can both play their best again today, it will be a thrilling clash, but I think Germany should just have the edge, so I'm going for a 2-1 win.
The players are now out and the anthem are underway. There's a polite reception for the German national anthem, but it's the Czech anthem that really gets the Prague crowd going. It's going to be a cracking atmosphere in the packed Eden Stadium tonight.
KICKOFF! Germany get the action underway in Prague.
The home crowd are getting behind the Czech side early on, cheering loudly as Tomas Kalas steals the ball away from Kimmich, allowing Kaderabek to go on an early run forward, and he wins a free kick when he's tripped by Schulz.
CHANCE! Marc-Andre ter Stegen has to make an early intervention in the Germany goal as Frydek curls the free kick in. The initial delivery is cleared, but Kalas manages to flick it back in for Jakub Brabec, but his scuffed effort is easily claimed by the Barcelona keeper.
Gunter, who is back after suspension, makes a run down the left before squaring the ball in for Volland as Germany try to get on the attack. The captain gets the shot away, but it's well wide of the target.
Kaderabek appears to be a marked man as he's hacked down for the second time since kickoff just a few minutes ago. This time it's Dominique Heintz fouling the pacy defender as he attempted to get a cross in. Frydek is on free kick duty again, but this time it's safety into the hands of Ter Stegen straight from the cross.
CHANCE! Germany press down the other end quickly, with Schulz making the charge down the left before pulling it back for Maximilian Meyer, but the striker's header from near the penalty spot it just wide of the right post.
CHANCE! Germany are looking really dangerous inside the box as Brabec gives the ball away on the edge of the area, allowing Volland to tee up Meyer. His effort is blocked, but only as far as Amin Younes, who forces a save at full stretch from Tomas Koubek to keep the Czech side on level terms.
The host nation try to get the ball away from their area, but after failing to create anything down the other end, it takes Meyer just a few seconds to sprint the length of the pitch and put the Czech defenders under pressure, but he hasn't got any teammates forward to help him out, allowing Koubek to deal with the cross.
The Czech Republic manage to force the first corner of the match, which Skalak whips it deep for Petrak, but the midfielder's header isn't anything for Ter Stegen to worry about.
Germany immediately look to continue their attacking charge with Schulz sending a high cross in from the left for Volland, but the striker's first touch isn't quite good enough, and he loses his footing before he can get the shot away. His miss allows Kliment to try to get involved with a quick counter-attack, but Ginter is ready to halt the forward's efforts.
The Czech Republic haven't had too many prolonged spells on the ball so far, but they're starting to string a few passes together in midfield now as they try to halt Germany's early charge. They get a couple of long balls into the box, but Ter Stegen is ready to deal with them both to make sure the scores remain the same.
UPDATE! In the other Group A match, Denmark have just taken a 1-0 lead. That means a draw would be enough for Germany to go through, but the Czech Republic would need a win.
BOOKING! Amin Younes catches Matej Hybs late right on the edge of the box, earning himself a yellow card and giving the host nation a free kick in a dangerous position.
CHANCE! Jiri Skalak lines up the free kick, just a couple of yards short of the penalty box. The striker lifts it up and over the wall, but it's not dipping, and ends up going comfortably high.
The Czech Republic have started to look a lot more threatening going forward in the last five minutes or so, with Skalak and Frydek linking up on the edge of the box, while Kaderabek comes forward to try to get a cross in from the wing, but Schulz makes the tackle just in time.
CHANCE! Germany are living a little dangerously at the back as Kaderabek pulls the ball back towards Kliment, who leaves it for Frydek in space as the midfielder rushes to the edge of the box, but his first-time effort is just wide of the top right corner.
CHANCE! Germany manage to ease the pressure by forcing a free kick around 25 yards out. It's curled in to Ginter on the edge of the box, who rises high to get a powerful header away, but Koubek watches it carefully to make the stop.
Neither side have managed what could be considered a prolonged spell of possession so far, with the ball switching from one team to the other frequently. The fouls have also been flying in too, which is making for a pretty open game.
BOOKING! Speaking of fouls, Martin Frydek has made a few now, and picks up a booking for catching Gunter from behind.
Emre Can has been kept pretty quiet so far, but he makes a decent run through the middle as he looks to set up Schulz. The winger can't control Can's through-ball though, although Meyer and Younes soon win it back and force a corner on the other side. It's curled in towards Can, but he seems to lose sight of the ball as it heads towards him, allowing Hybs to make the clearance.
Heintz takes a little too long to get the ball out from the back, allowing Kliment to close him down, but the Czech striker is penalised for wrestling the ball away from the defender. Germany have been trying to give themselves more time on the ball by keeping it at the back, which is drawing plenty of whistles from the home supporters.
Germany are bearing down in the Czech box again, with Kimmich seeing his shot blocked and turned behind by Kalas. Meyer tries to find Volland from the resulting set piece, but the host nation get it clear. Germany really haven't been able to test their opponents too much from set pieces so far.
Frydek makes his way forward for the Czech Republic, weaving around on the edge of the box trying to shake off Schulz to get his shot away. He ends up passing to Skalak, who manages to win a corner, but Ter Stegen quickly deals with the ball as it's crossed back in.
Meyer uses his pace down the left before sending a deep cross in for Can. The Liverpool midfielder tries to knock it down for Volland, but Hybs beats him to the ball to make the clearance.
HALF TIME: Czech Republic Under-21s 0-0 Germany Under-21s
So at half time the deadlock remains, with Germany and Czech Republic playing out a goalless first half at Eden Stadium. There have been chances for both sides, and with Denmark winning in the other match in Group A this evening, both sides should be keen to keep pushing after the break.
Germany had slightly more possession in the opening
45 minutes with 55% of the ball. They also had more than twice as many shots with 11 to the Czech Republic's side, with four on target. It was a fairly scrappy 45 minutes at times, with each side conceding nine free kicks and having a player booked.
So, as it stands, Denmark are going through as group winners, with Germany heading through in second place. If Denmark win, Czech Republic can't finish top, but a win would give them second. However, Germany will won't to top the group for a theoretically easier last-four meeting.
The Czech Republic don't have too many attacking option on the bench to give themselves some more fire power. Tomas Prikryl looked lively off the bench against Serbia at the weekend. Martin Frydek and Jiri Skalak have shown moment of brilliance in the first half though, while Jan Kliment was quiet, so should have plenty left in the tank.
Germany have a wealth of talent warming their subs bench should they feel the need to change it up. Philipp Hoffman started against Serbia, but has been left on the bench since, so would surely relish the chance to prove himself again. Moritz Leitner is also an option, having scored in this stadium in a friendly against the host nation back in November, while Arsenal's Serge Gnabry is also available.
The players are starting to make their way back out ready for the second half. The Czech Republic should now know that they need to win this match, so it will be interesting to see how they start this second half.
RESTART! The Czech Republic get the match back underway.
Germany try to catch the host nation out with a quick attack, as Schulz chases down a long ball forward, but Koubek comes off his line to claim it. The Czech Republic have scored in their previous two matches, so are a side with goals in them, and immediately press down the other end to force a corner.
OFF THE LINE! Julian Korb proves why it's important to have a defender on the far post during corners as he superbly heads the ball off the line after Jakub Brabec appeared to have beaten Ter Stegen with a bullet header.
CHANCE! The Czech Republic have made an excellent start to the second half as Kliment makes a pacy run down the right before slicing it in for Skalak, who forces it in between two defenders only to see his effort finish just a couple of inches wide of the left upright.
UPDATE! It doesn't look like the Czech Republic will be getting any favours from Serbia as Denmark have just extended their lead to 2-0.
The Czech Republic lose possession in midfield, allowing Schulz to chip a high ball into the box for Meyer. He just hesitates though, clearly half expecting to see the offside flag, and that gives Koubek time to sprint off his line and snatch the ball away.
GOAL! Czech Republic Under-21s 0-1 Germany Under-21s (Nico Schulz)
With a quick break, Germany have finally managed to open the scoring. Kevin Volland makes an excellent run down the right before crossing in towards Meyes. Tomas Kalas thinks that he's got it clear, but he knocks it straight at Schulz, leaving the midfielder with a simple tap in. As it stands, that would send Germany through as group winners.
CHANCE! Emre Can thinks that he can quickly double the advantage for Germany as he carves out a solo chance, sprinting down the left before cutting inside and thumping the ball towards goal from 20 yards out, but it's just wide.
CHANCE! Can is really trying to turn the screw for Germany as they quickly attempt to find a second, but this time his finish is straight at Koubek.
SUB! Unsurprisingly, the Czech Republic are making a change up front, replacing Michal Travnik, who really hasn't had much of an impact, with Ladislav Krejci.
SUB! It gets worse for the Czech Republic as Jiri Skalak has picked up a knock, forcing another substitution. Lukas Masopust replaces him.
Kalas is obviously feeling guilty for his poor clearance in the run up to the goal as he tries to force a chance down the other end, driving the ball low from 25 yards out, but there's nowhere near enough power behind the effort, leaving it to bobble harmlessly to Ter Stegen.
SUB! Germany make their first change of the evening, with Leonardo Bittencourt coming on for Amin Younes.
BOOKING! Julian Korb bundles Masopust down as the winger tries to go on the counter, earning himself a yellow.
GOAL! Czech Republic Under-21 1-1 Germany Under-21s (Ladislav Krejci)
Totally against the run of play, the Czech Republic are back on level terms. Petrak sends a cross in from the right for Krejci, who manages to lose Korb to slot the ball into the bottom left.
So, that goal drops Germany back down the second in the group, and still leaves the Czech Republic needing to score again to progress to the last four. That's actually Krejci's first goal for the Under-21s , even though he has scored twice for the senior side.
CHANCE! Germany want the lead back as soon as possible as they force a free kick in the edge of the box. Kimmich initially tries to set up Meyer by passing it out wide, but there's nothing there for the winger, so he pulls it back for Kimmich, but he drive from the edge of the box is blocked by Petrak. The atmosphere has really changed in the stadium now, with the home supporters really trying to get behind their side as they look for a winner.
Krejci tries to create more problems for Germany as he takes the ball down the left before sliding it in for Hybs, but Ter Stegen rushes out to make the clearance. It wasn't the most clinical effort from the keeper though, and it looks as though Germany have been rattled by the host nation's comeback.
Germany are looking incredibly stretched at the back right now as Krejci is left unmarked in the box again, allowing Hybs to pick him out with a cross, but the goalscorer can't quite stretch to get his shot away.
CHANCE! Leonardo Bittencourt tries to re-establish Germany's lead down the other end as he makes a superb run before putting the ball in for Meyer. His first effort is nicely blocked by Brabec, before a follow-up is weakly sent straight at Koubek.
Ter Stegen really irks the Czech crowd as he lets the ball go out for a goal kick, which he then takes as long as he can to line up. It looks like Germany might be cutting their losses and settling for the draw, which is enough to send them through as group runners-up.
SUB! The Czech Republic make their final change, bringing on Tomas Prikryl in place of Martin Frydek.
SUB! As the Czech Republic prepare to take a free kick from a promising position on the right flank, Germany make their second change, sending on Yunus Malli for Max Meyer.
The free kick comes to nothing, but the host nation do manage to force a throw in. Kalas takes it, and gets some incredible distance on it, launching it right into the penalty area, but Germany scramble it behind for a corner.
The Czech Republic are still pressing for a late winner as Kliment backheels the ball to Prikryl, who sends a cross in towards Krejci, but it's a little overhit, leaving the goalscorer unable to do anything with it.
Germany immediately win a corner down the other end. Can flicks it in for Bittencourt, but the midfielder's finish flies well high.
BOOKING! Kimmich goes in the book for a late challenge on Petrak.
The Czech Republic are really committing numbers forward as the full-time whistle approaches, clearly willing to risk letting in a second if it gives them the chance to score a winner. Kalas launches it deep towards a packed penalty area, but Brabec is a touch too keen, drifting offside as the ball comes in.
A lovely one-two from Volland and Bittencourt almost sets Germany up for the winner, but it's blocked by Hybs, and the Czech Republic are straight down the other end to force a corner. Koubek is up to help out, but Brabec's header clears the crossbar. Meanwhile, there are four minutes of stoppage time to come.
PENALTY APPEAL! The Czech Republic want a spot kick as Krejci takes a tumble under a challenge from Kimmich in the box. The goalscorer had already lost control of the ball when the tackle came in through, so the referee awards Germany a goal kick.
SUB! Germany waste a few more seconds by making their final change, sending on Philipp Hoffmann in place of Schulz.
CHANCE! Hoffmann's first touch of the match is almost a winning goal as he dives in for a header, but Koubek makes the save.
BOOKING! Emre Can makes a foul at the half way line to pick up a booking and allow Koubek to get forward once more for a late push.
CHANCE! Hybs' free kick is blocked, allowing Volland to try to lob Koubek as he sprints back towards the Czech goal, but it's just high.
FULL TIME: Czech Republic Under-21s 1-1 Germany Under-21s
Germany do just enough to make sure they go through to the semi-finals at the expense of the host nation. The Czech Republic really pushed in the final 20 minutes as they tried to find a late winner, but they just fell short.
With Denmark winning 2-0 in the other Group A match, this result means that Germany will face the winner of Group B in the semi-finals. If England reach the last four, the Czech Republic may have another match to come though, as they would go into a playoff for Olympic qualification.
So, that's all from this match, but join us again tomorrow when Group B comes to its conclusion, with England facing Italy and Sweden up against Portugal. All four sides can still go through so it should be another thriller. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.

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