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England U21 2 Germany U21 2 (Germany win 4-3 on pens): Familiar heartbreak for Three Lions as they lose semi-final shootout to old enemy

Germany beat England on penalties in yet another international tournamnet - PA Wire
Germany beat England on penalties in yet another international tournamnet - PA Wire


 England U21 2 (Gray 41', Abraham 50') - 2 (Selke 34', Platte 70') Germany U21

 Germany win 4-3 on penalties

No matter how much has changed, regardless of how our relationship with our neighbours has altered, some things always stay the same as Germany once again ended English thoughts of football glory with a penalty shoot-out victory to take their place in the European Championship final.

It has been just over a year since we voted to leave Europe, which, depending on your view, was either a glorious act of national liberation or ridiculous self-harm, but when it comes to international football tournaments, we are constantly forced to leave against our will.

Whether we leave kicking and screaming, or whinging and moaning, Europe rarely mourns our departure and as good as England’s Under-21s have been in Poland, they once again departed in disappointing fashion. Out-played and out-classed, Germany deserved to go through.

There was heartbreak of sorts. Losing on penalties is always tough, Tammy Abraham and Nathan Redmond missing from the spot, but in truth Germany were by far the better team and should have won it in normal time.

The 50 best young players in world football
The 50 best young players in world football

The fact England took them to a shootout was down to their sheer, stubborn refusal to be beaten by a superior group of players. For all the buzzwords tossed about at St George’s Park, that has always been in our DNA.

Sadly this performance did nothing to suggest we are any closer to challenging the best side’s in the world. Not until the Under-2O group who won the World Cup earlier this month have had a chance to develop.

England began well, briefly taking the game to their opponents. For 15 minutes, the Germans did not know how to cope.

It boded well, but England were wasteful. They created four clear goalscoring chances inside the first 20 minutes but only one of them required a save from goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck.

Germany goalkeeper - Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Jannik Pollersbeck of Germany saved England's second and fifth penalties Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Two of them fell to Chelsea’s Nathaniel Chalobah. Twice he found himself unmarked at a corner and twice he put headers over the bar.

Tammy Abraham has been in high demand this summer, and is on the verge of rejecting a move to Newcastle United in favour of a season on loan at Swansea City, but he cannot afford to miss free headers, four yards out in games like this.

To be fair to Pollersbeck, he will feel he made a good reaction save, but Abraham put his free header far too close to him. It should have been buried.

Germany were alarmingly weak defending set pieces, but in open play, they were starting to threaten whenever they got the ball through England’s midfield.

Will Hughes was impressive in possession for England - Credit: PA
Will Hughes was impressive in possession for England Credit: PA

In contrast, England were finding it difficult to find any sort of penetration, although they did carve the home team open once in the first half. Will Hughes was the architect, slipping a pass in behind the defence for Demarai Gray to run on to. His first shot was well blocked by a sliding tackle from Jeremy Toljan, but the follow effort was tipped away by the fingertips of the German goalkeeper.

Germany grew stronger, realising they would find space whenever they got the ball wide because of England’s diamond formation, they did so with ever increasing regularity. With Chalobah looking anything but match fit, England’s midfield was over run and Germany gave them plenty of warning before they eventually opened the scoring with just over half an hour played.

Toljan had been given the freedom of the right wing and had already forced a couple of decent saves from Jordan Pickford when the Hoffenheim full-back, effectively playing as a winger, bustled his way to the byline and crossed for Davie Selke to head home.

European Under 21 Championship: 20 young stars who could shine in Poland
European Under 21 Championship: 20 young stars who could shine in Poland

Germany looked in control. England looked in disarray, but somehow managed to pull level before the break. Once again, it was their opponent’s inability to defend corners that gave them a chance. Calum Chambers’ fired the first effort against Abraham, but the ball fell kindly for Gray and the Leicester City winger managed to control his volley and steer it beyond Pollersbeck.

Evenly poised at the interval, England regained the initiative in the second and some magnificent from Hughes gave them the lead. The midfielder, who signed for Watford last week, pounced a sloppy piece of defensive play from Germany, but then showed great skill, and more importantly composure, to wriggle into space inside the area before picking out Abraham who stabbed the ball into the bottom corner.

England's Tammy Abraham celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game - Credit: PA
England's Tammy Abraham celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game Credit: PA

Germany were rattled, but England sat too deep, too cautious, allowing them to once again dominate possession and territory. Stefan Kuntz’s side waited for an opening to appear and they should have equalised when Alfie Mawson completely missed a clearance, but Toljan scuffed wide.

England could not react. Germany pushed further and further forward, virtually camping on the edge of the England area. A goal was coming and it did from Germany substitute Felix Platte, who got ahead of Mason Holgate to glance in a header at the near post.

England looked exhausted and Germany spurned another golden chance as Max Philipp dragged a shot wide. Seconds later, Pickford had to be alert to tip away a long range strike from the same player.

Boothroyd’ side were being out-classed and Haberer thought he had scored his team’s third after another piercing move down the right, only for an offside flag to rule out his header.

That blow briefly deflated Germany and Nathan Redmond almost snatched a goal against the run of play, but the Southampton forward low shot flew just wide from the edge of the area.

Germany were comfortably the better side but found defending set pieces difficult - Credit: REUTERS
Germany were comfortably the better side but found defending set pieces difficult Credit: REUTERS

It was a rare foray forward. England appeared to be playing for penalties long before extra time arrived. They looked unlikely to even get to that point as Nadiem Amiri sent a shot inches wide after some lovely approach play had sliced through the defence yet again.

Germany, though, had tired, frustrated by England’s dogged determination, broken, possibly, by their refusal to accept their inferiority.

In the final seconds of the first half of extra time, Lewis Baker fired wide when he should have hit the target. At the start of the second period, Chambers could not get a header on target after Pollersbeck had missed with an attempted punch.

8:05PM

Probably a bit early for this

But that is the predictable response. England have a fine group of young players - nothing amazing - and could do well in future tournaments to come. Clearly, more of these young players need to get first team game time and could do with leaving the safety of home in England to gain experience in other countries or at lower level clubs. A lot of those German players are first team regulars in the Bundesliga - several have played for the full Germany national team -  and only really Ward-Prowse, Alfie Mawson, Jordan Pickford and Calum Chambers can claim similar. Coincidentally, those four were England's best players. 

7:59PM

A few of these got humped by Iceland last year...

 

7:55PM

Oh the familiar woe

Poor Nathan Redmond. His penalty was placed in that dangerous part of the goal that goalkeepers love - head height, slightly to one side. The goalkeeper read where he was putting it and there was nothing like enough direction or power on his kick to beat him - England have been well beaten here. 

This might sound harsh but England were just a level below Germany today and were lucky to take the game to extra-time. Their two goals came from set pieces, the rest of the time they were awful.

This is partly due to the team's shape affording Germany all the space in the universe but a basic lack of technique, control and composure left them looking like a three star Pro Evo team vs a five star one. It doesn't matter how many red smiley faces you have, if your players aren't as good, there's nothing you can do.

7:48PM

Stuart Pearce has been here before

"I wish I could say I don't know what it feels like! The one thing I can say, all the players will benefit from this experience, being at that tournament."

7:44PM

GERMANY WIN ON PENALTIES!

REDMOND MISSES! ENGLAND HAVE BEEN BEATEN ON PENALTIES!

7:44PM

England 3 - 4 Germany

Germany score.

7:43PM

WARD-PROWSE SCORES! England 3 - 3 Germany

WOOF! That is brilliant. The captain places his shot high in the top right of the goal. Nobody's saving that.

7:42PM

MEYER SCORES! England 2 - 3 Germany

Max Meyer doesn't care. He places the ball, takes a few steps back and then slots it into the bottom left. Next is Ward-Prowse for England.

7:42PM

CHILWELL SCORES! England 2 - 2 Germany

Chilwell looks very nervous. He stares at the floor, steps up... and sends the goalie the wrong way. Bottom right, goal.

7:41PM

PHILIPP SCORES! England 1 - 2 Germany

What a penalty this is. Maximillian Philipp steps up confidently and places his shot perfectly into the top right, nestling in the side netting.

7:40PM

ABRAHAM MISSES! England 1 - 1 Germany

Abraham sends it bottom left, the keeper reads it and saves well. Great save!

7:40PM

GERHARDT MISSES! England 1 - 1 Germany

Pickford saves! The left-back places his shot low to the left and Pickford guesses it right.

7:39PM

GOAL England 1 - 1 Germany

Lewis Baker is up for England. He looks calm as he steps up and slams it into the bottom right corner. Really nice penalty.

7:38PM

England 0 - 1 Germany

Arnold holds the ball for a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time, stares at the floor as he places it on the spot and takes some steps backwards. 

GOOOOOAAAAAAL! He fires it below Pickford, straight down the middle, never taking his eye off the ball.

7:36PM

The secrets of penalties

And it's going to be Germany to take first... 

7:34PM

I'm hoping they dab

 

7:33PM

England vs Germany on penalties

 

7:32PM

END OF EXTRA TIME

It's penalties! 

7:32PM

ET 120 mins

Amiri takes... and slams it straight into the wall. Some German players claim for a penalty from the handball, which is just about the most annoying about football these days - it's not a penalty if you shoot the ball at their hand. Pickford takes the goal kick and finally the team appears to have learned that kicking it long is more successful than giving the ball away near their own box. 

7:30PM

ET 119 mins

Philipp darts forward, skips inside Mawson and goes down under the challenge 25 yards from goal. This is a brilliant shooting opportunity for Germany U21s if they can get the free-kick right. Beckham territory.

7:29PM

ET 117 mins

Germany are getting closer. They've got England pinned back and are putting dangerous crosses into the area for Pickford to punch clear and defenders to hoof towards the opposition goalkeeper. The attacks keep coming but England's centre-backs are dealing with these aerial balls well, keeping their back line intact. 

7:27PM

ET 115 mins

Abraham stretches to reach a chipped ball over the top towards the six yard box but is just a yard behind it. 

GERMANY SHOULD SCORE! OOOHHHHHH what a miss! Again it's the right back Toljan who causes mayhem on the right, easily skips past Chilwell and sets up his teammate at the back post for a tap in. Amiri comes in to meet it but misses the ball! So unlucky!

7:25PM

ET 113 mins

Ward-Prowse takes the kick but there's too much height on it - not really his fault - and the goalkeeper claims comfortably. Germany attack, England fall back into their defensive shape. Redmond wins it back, plays a pass down the line and Abraham loses out in a 50/50.

Germany are tired too now. Alan Smith is criticising "another aimless punt" from the back towards Abraham. 

Arnold is booked for a foul at the halfway line, some of Germany's players are getting frustrated and lashing out. 

7:21PM

ET 110 mins

Iorfa is right into this one. He wins a free-kick high up the pitch, Kempf uses his hands while on the floor to stop the England man getting away. Ward-Prowse kicks it from near the half way line, the keeper comes off his line and CHAMBERS HAS AN OPEN GOAL! He's just underneath the ball and can only head it back into the air! The goalie puts him off too. Unlucky!

England are much better all of a sudden. Redmon wins a free-kick on the touchline.

7:19PM

ET 107 mins

Much better from England! Dominic Iorfa is on and has already burst into action, speeding down the right wing and drifting in a cross that Swift can only head wide. 

7:18PM

KICK-OFF 4

It's going to penalties isn't it? England get the final 15 minutes of football started. Can they find inspiration and energy from somewhere?

7:16PM

ET HALF TIME

England look absolutely goosed. They're leaving space everywhere, don't have energy in the tank to press and are still trying to counter down the wings with the full-backs or by pinging the ball long over the top into the channels. They need to either be compact, or progressive - the attack is totally separate to the defence. 

7:13PM

ET 105 mins

Woooooohhhhhhh that is close. Chilwell goes down in the area and has to twist his body to land on the ball and not touch it with his arms. "Careful!" says Alan Smith. He gets away with it and deals with the danger. 

7:12PM

ET 103 mins

Chilwell breaks forward down the left, loses the ball when he gets past the half way line... and it's a goal kick. He wants a free-kick. Germany come forward again, Holgate does well to hold off Gerhardt, who is currently playing as a left winger due to the amount of space he has to get forward.

7:09PM

ET 100 mins

Germany go for a spectacular Paul Scholes corner-volley goal but the ball is smashed out of the stadium. It's really hard to pull that one off. Worth a go!

Abraham tries to hold up the ball on the right wing and draws the foul from Kempf, giving England a rare chance to get into Germany's half.

7:05PM

ET 97 mins

Jordan Pickford fails to save a goal scored by Germany's Felix Platte - Credit: REUTERS
Jordan Pickford fails to save a goal scored by Germany's Felix Platte Credit: REUTERS

 Gerhardt is finding space down the left now as England continue to look knackered. 

England are still trying to play out from the back. The idea is admirable but when your players clearly can't do it under this pressure - and Germany are pressed right up at them - and have a player like Pickford capable of punting the ball 80 yards away, maybe just don't keep giving possession away in your own half?

7:03PM

ET 95 mins

England get lucky again! The ball is fired across goal from the left this time and all it needs is a wee touch to put Germany ahead. 

Amiri tries a shot from 20 yards but Pickford saves easily. 

7:00PM

ET 93 mins

CHANCE FOR GERMANY! Pickford dives, the cross beats him... and comes back off Amiri, who must have come on as a subsitute when I wasn't looking. That could so easily have bounced into the back of the net.

6:59PM

KICK-OFF 3

Tired England soldier on. Germany start the first period of extra-time.

6:54PM

END OF 90 MINUTES

England need to be much smarter in extra-time. They're second best by a mile but keeping the ball for a bit might help.

6:53PM

90 mins +5

Maybe they're just knackered? You probably would be having to spend 90 minutes defending. Germany still have energy and are pinging the ball around. England defending with a back six now, lined up on the 18 yard line of their own box. Germany forced to shooting from range.

6:51PM

90 mins +3

Corner for Germany. Arnold takes it... and Kempf is completely unmarked! HE MUST SCORE! But misses... and the referee blows his whistle for some sort of foul somewhere in that move. Not sure where that is... but it's been called. England take the goal kick, Germany win it back. You'd think at some point, Boothroyd would try something to help them keep the ball. Maybe the players just aren't good enough to? That might sound harsh but they've handed possession to Germany for the entirety of this match. 

6:49PM

90 mins

Germany are working the ball patiently from side to side looking for an opportunity but overcook a long pass out to the wing and hand possession back to England. 

Germany aren't even having to try to keep the ball - they have space everywhere. England's defenders are more like training props than actual opposition.

6:46PM

88 mins

Dreadful. England's players' technique is so poor. Every single one. Holgate reads a pass, steps up and intercepts and then does well to bring the ball out from the back and fires it forward to Swift. Swift sees Chilwell making the run down the left and sends the pass out to him... Chilwell doesn't control it and the ball goes out for a throw. Basic errors all over the pitch.

6:44PM

85 mins

They really have been incredibly poor. Germany's players are all so much more composed on the ball, better at controlling it under pressure...

Redmond shoots wide from 25 yards, Hughes comes off for John Swift. England need to find some energy and belief from somewhere.

6:40PM

82 mins

no passing options
England providing no passing options when building play from the back

 Look at how far apart England's players are. They're struggling to keep the ball but still stretching the pitch and routinely losing possession. When this defender receives the ball he has to instantly choose whether to hit it to the right-back... or to the goalkeeper. Germany pressing with three forwards and the midfielders up and close to England's holding midfielder. England can't build from the back and so keep it hoofing it.

6:37PM

GOOOAAAAAA - disallowed!

Germany easily break the England press, there's space everywhere and and Meyer finds a brilliant ball into the area powered into the back of the net by Platte. It's ruled offside. Is it?

england offside disallowed germany goal
england offside disallowed germany goal

 

6:36PM

88 mins

England still lacking any conviction in their pressing and Germany are finding it easy to keep the ball and move forward.

6:34PM

77 mins

It's such a basic lack of technique by these England players. As soon as they come under any sort of pressure the first touch goes out the window and they revert to hoofing it. 

6:33PM

75 mins

Germany look confident now and are dominating the game, finding space everywhere. England should be behind now actually as a fantastic through-ball puts a striker through on goal and he pulls his shot wide.

Boothroyd makes a change, bringing on Redmond for Gray. Something has to be done.

Why do England keep trying to play out from the back? They're absolutely dreadful at it! Germany press high and easily win it back - this time they almost hand an open goal! But for Pickford's quick closing down that would have been 3-2. Stupid play from England.

6:30PM

GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!

England U21 2 (Gray 41', Abraham 50') - 2 (Selke 34', Platte 70') Germany U21

Germany score from the corner and it's the substitute who levels it up! This was always bound to happen with England having set their stall out to defend for the rest of the match. Poor marking again from Holgate - who was at fault for the goal against Slovakia - who completely loses his man. A great header from Platte makes it 2-2.

6:28PM

69 mins

Haberer brings the ball forward and England's banks of defence step back, leaving him space to shoot. It's a decent effort and turned behind for a corner. 

6:26PM

68 mins

England try to play out from the back and it's almost embarrassing how badly they do it. Pickford goes short to Chambers, who looks up and realises he has no options, who goes back to Pickford, who has to launch it because no midfielder is in space to receive the ball. They get lucky this time and England try to move up the pitch after contesting the ball in the air.

Germany's right-back is their most dangerous player at the moment and Gray is not the man to defend against him. He scrambles to prevent Toljan getting in behind again and gives away a corner. Nothing comes of it.

6:23PM

65 mins

Hughes has been superb on the ball for England and is unlucky not to win a free-kick as he is fouled while dribbling in the final third on the left wing. Boothroyd is trying to see this one already and is about to bring on Jacob Murphy for Nathaniel Chalobah. That's a winger coming on for a defensive midfielder... which must mean another change of shape. Boothroyd is issuing instructions now. It could well be a 4-3-3? Maybe? To play on the counter-attack with two fast wide players (Gray and Murphy) with Abraham through the middle. Let's see.

6:21PM

62 mins

Tammy Abraham celebrating scoring England's second goal against GPAermany
Tammy Abraham celebrating scoring England's second goal against Germany

Davie Selke might have picked up an injury here. He's still on for now but Germany seem to be preparing a substitute. 

Felix Platte comes on in his place.

6:17PM

59 mins

Chilwell is booked for a cynical foul in his own defensive third. How long can England cope with constant German pressure? They now have a free-kick in a dangerous area.

6:16PM

56 mins

England defending deep. Pickford is absolutely furious - again - because the German right-back is able to get in at the back post as Gray completely fails to pick him up.

england defending
england defending

 

6:11PM

53 mins

Well then. Will England U21 do what England seniors have traditionally not done and keep their cool for the remainder of this match? Germany are really weak defensively but definitely a danger in attack - Boothroyd's side needs to concentrate and hold position.

The midfield line of four has already dropped deep just in front of the back four. Chalobah is organising the defence... and Chilwell reads a forward pass to head danger away. Abraham working to win it back.

6:09PM

GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!

ABRAHAM HAS SCORED!

England U21 2 (Gray 41', Abraham 50') - 1 (Selke 34') Germany U21

Hughes is the architect, dribbling in between three German defenders and pulling a perfect low ball in front of the six yard box for Abraham to put into an empty net. Great movement from Abraham but Hughes is causing all sorts of trouble for the Germans with his close control and vision.

6:06PM

48 mins

It does actually look like Boothroyd has changed things, moving Hughes inside and Baker out wide. That might affect the shape of the team and make it more of a 4-1-3-2 or 4-3-1-2, which is odd because England are getting all their joy from crosses put in from wide and both of those are very narrow. 

Anyway. Germany have started the better side and already made Pickford dive to catch a powerful effort at goal. England defending in a 4-4-1-1 at the moment, with Hughes the midfielder behind Abraham the striker.

6:03PM

KICK-OFF 2

We're back! No changes.

5:57PM

Clear penalty

On replay, I cannot believe that Abraham hasn't been given a penalty. Arnold sees him run, steps in front and collides with him with an outstretched arm. Poor refereeing. 

However, it might well have leveled things out because Germany should have had a penalty in the opening three minutes as Chambers fouled Selke in the area. 

5:55PM

Half time analysis

Demarai Gray goal for England - Credit: PA 
Demarai Gray goal for England Credit: PA

"I don't know whether it was good movement or he fell over!" says Stuart Pearce of Selke, who does slip in the box before getting up in space to head past Pickford.

Ward-Prowse has been the difference for England this evening - if they can get more of these corners and free-kicks in wide positions there is every chance Germany can be beaten.

5:47PM

HALF TIME

It'll be really interesting to see if Boothroyd makes the changes he needs to at half time or if that goal will fool him into thinking everything's OK. It's not. England can score goals from set pieces for sure, but they're leaving way too much space in midfield to Germany who are controlling the game.

5:47PM

45 mins

Hmmm that should be very possibly, maybe, be a penalty to England. Abraham is in the area and about to attack a cross and the German defender clatters him. Alan Smith on co-commentary thinks it should be a penalty. There's a little pause as Abraham gets treatment.

5:44PM

43 mins

England keep looking for this long ball over the top and sometimes it nearly works. Hughes is great when on the ball but not off it, and this ball over the top to Gray is brilliant. Had Gray been able to control a long pass onto his chest, England could be 2-1 up. Instead, he gives possession back to the goalkeeper.

5:42PM

GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLL!

But maybe they don't need composure! Germany are awful at defending set pieces. As in: truly terrible.

England U21 1 (Gray 41') - 1 (Selke 34') Germany U21

Twice they fail to clear their lines and Gray nips in at the back post to power a volley in as the defenders go all wrong.

5:41PM

40 mins

And it's nearly 2-0. England survive another cross out from the right (Will Hughes isn't a defensively minded player) but this time Selke doesn't take advantage. Pickford is absolutely raging at the team. He kicks the ball out... and Germany win it straight back. Absolutely no composure in this team.

5:39PM

39 mins

England are giving far too much space to Germany! They're all trying to play in between the lines but England's defence is miles away from the midfield, and the defensive and attacking parts of the midfield are way apart from each other. This isn't working at all for England and they need to change. Quickly. 

If it's a high press he needs wide players in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. He just doesn't have the right shape at the moment and England are leaving entire parts of the space unguarded.

5:36PM

GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!

Germany take the lead and that's been coming. England are all over the place defensively, don't have a clue how to win it back and could well concede a couple more at this rate. 

England U21 0 - 1 (Selke 34') Germany U21

Again, Toljan gets down the right in space, picks his cross and Selke moves into space - unmarked - to power a header past Pickford. Easy goal for Germany.

5:34PM

34 mins

Toljan, the right-back, comes forward, cuts inside and shoots on his left foot. It takes a deflection and Pickford has to be alert to turn it behind - that could easily have gone wrong. The corner is dealt with well but Germany find space as they come forward way too easily and PHILIPP IS IN YARDS OF SPACE! How has this happened?! England are all over the place when moving from defence to attack and left the midfielder all alone in the box! He cuts inside past Chilwell and must score! But no! He puts his shot way over the bar with time to pick a place to put it. 

5:32PM

31 mins

Better from England as they step up and look to play the strikers into the channels with balls over the top but Germany step up and easily catch them offside. Now Germany build from the back and bypass the first line of press way too easily, having half the pitch to run into before they reach the deeper midfield two of England. England need to decide whether they're all pressing high or whether they want to win the ball back further up - having a few players try to press high is pointless.

5:29PM

28 mins

Germany have a corner, Arnold whips it in left-footed and Philipp comes in at the back post and very nearly scores. Poor defending from England, Germany looking more confident as the game goes on. 

England aren't pressing the ball until it's in their own half and it's giving Germany space and time to build their attacks from the back. 

5:26PM

25 mins

Germany are in control of possession, England are sitting back and encouraging them to come forward. When they win the ball back they then hit it long and lose it.

5:22PM

22 mins

Will Hughes on the ball for England - Credit: PA
Will Hughes on the ball for England Credit: PA

 Does anyone else think Will Hughes looks a lot like one of the zombie snowmen things from Game of Thrones? That show got infinitely stupider the minute those guys turned up. Anyhow. Germany have just missed a superb chance to score here, with Pickford lucky that Selke's first time volley in the box was put straight towards him. England's defenders didn't pick on his run whatsoever and the striker very nearly opened the scoring as a result.

5:19PM

19 mins

SO CLOSE AGAIN! England are causing havoc with their set pieces but Abraham has just missed yet another glorious chance to score! He's unmarked eight yards from goal, the free-kick dips right onto his head and he places it directly at the goalkeeper. Anywhere else and that was a goal.

5:18PM

17 mins

A snap-shot at goal from distance by Ward-Prowse doesn't trouble the keeper. The crowd is nice and quiet again. What an odd atmosphere for a semi-final this is. 

Max Meyer gets on the ball and brings it forward, Germany keep possession and start passing it around the final third. They're in charge of the game at the moment and then all of a sudden Gnabry spins away from the defenders and Arnold chips a brilliant a reverse ball into the box towards him. Pickford has to come out - he's off his line! But Gnabry heads wide of the empty net, perhaps terrified of being punted into next week by the goalkeeper.

5:14PM

14 mins

 Germany might have settled their nerves and are pushing higher up the pitch after the opening 10 minutes. Ward-Prowse turns his man, and Arnold goes down in a heap clutching his face. If that's because he's twisted something while turning, then fair enough but it looks like Arnold is in #agony because Ward-Prowse gently caught his face on the way down. Poor form.

5:11PM

11 mins

Germany certainly look the more nervous of the two teams but England need to find some composure in the final third quickly or else those early chances are going to the kind they regret.  

Hughes has been booked for a foul already, sliding in late on Haberer. That's harsh but probably the right call.

5:09PM

8 mins

It should be 1-0. 

england corner
england corner

Chalobah HAS to score here. A great delivery from Ward-Prowse, Cholobah times his run and arrives in space but puts his header well over the bar. Dreadful miss.

And England are in again! Gray is in behind the defence, one man gets back to block as Hughes threads him in... but he doesn't catch his shot and his follow up is saved by the goalkeeper. Wasted chances - England might be haunted by these.

5:06PM

6 mins

Close for England! Great footwork from Will Hughes who holds off his man and dribbles to the byline before pulling a pass across the box. The defence get it clear to prevent a tap-in but the corner is headed over. 

That was a great move by England, who have started really well here. Another corner.

5:04PM

3 mins

It's very quiet in the stadium... you can hear the echo of the occasional yell from a crowd member but not much in the way of atmosphere. Good old 5pm kick-offs. 

England have started on the attack and get caught out quickly. Germany counter quickly, Chambers comes across to block the run of Selke... and he goes down! That should be a penalty! But it's not. England survive the opening three minutes - just.

5:01PM

KICK-OFF

And we're off! England are in their traditional white, Germany are in black, England get us started.

4:54PM

Here come the players

It's time for soccer, Polish-style.

4:45PM

The 50 best young players in the world

Watch out, England defenders - Max Meyer is in this list and he's coming for you!

The 50 best young players in world football
The 50 best young players in world football

There are no England U21 players in this list, except for Marcus Rashford who isn't in the squad.

4:41PM

England's star striker

Tammy Abraham  - Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Tammy Abraham warming up Credit: GETTY IMAGES

This guy is a good player. Quick and really clever with his movement, when Abraham can actually get involved with play he is one of the best on the pitch. The problem is that opposition teams focus on making sure he gets isolated and disappears from view.

4:38PM

Alfie Mawson interview

Sky Sports have just run an interesting interview with Swansea defender Alfie Mawson, who impressed last season in the Premier League after breaking into the first team. He seems very level headed, which probably helps when getting ready to play in an international semi-final. Stuart Pearce is full of praise for him anyway.

4:23PM

Aidy Boothroyd says England are prepared

"Yeh, Nathan is fit, ready to go but I don't think he's got the full 90, 120 minutes in him. He's certainly the type of player who'll be ready if called upon.

"We thought Will Hughes is left sided and offers a bit of a different threat and that means I can push Lewis Baker a bit higher up the pitch.

"We knew that should we be successful that we'd be moving up to Krakow, it's been a two year plan to get here.

"I want us to win, take advantage of any weaknesses in the Germans and respect our opponents. 

"We learned they're a good team, when their tails are up they can give anyone a good hiding but we also learned we have issues dealing with certain kinds of attacks."

4:21PM

Aidy Boothroyd's tactics

The formation that England tweeted will probably be how the team lines up in defensive situations but in attack it's another shape - a very Ajax-shaped shape.

england under 21 formation
england under 21 formation

The midfield is a diamond, with one player - most likely Baker - pushing behind the two strikers and Chalobah dropping deeper between the centre-backs to form a defensive three, with Chalobah in charge of building play from the back.

The full-backs are tasked with moving up the pitch to get level with Chalobah when attacking, and also with overlapping. They must provide width and stretch the play, while the two central midfielders, Hughes and Ward-Prowse shift from a deeper midfield role to join in attack behind the strikers.

And those strikers are asked to move into channels to create even more space. It's a very fluid system and one entirely reminiscent of the old Ajax team. However, Boothroyd's men, either by instruction or intuition, have a habit of hitting long direct balls over the top into the channels - especially late in the game - and this results in the team being put under a lot of pressure. They haven't really played anyone that's caused them a lot of trouble in the tournament so far but this Germany team has the potential to do just that.

4:08PM

England's preparation for that last defeat

Stuart Pearce has revealed the secrets of England's preparation for their demise in previous U21 European Championships, when he was manager:

"The FA's preparation is world class now. We trained on [a pitch covered in] goose poo."

4:05PM

The teams the last time these two played...

Theo Walcott! Andy Johnson! Fabrice Muamba! What a team. It's a shame that nothing became of those young Germany boys though. Nobody ever heard of a Mesut Ozil or Manuel Neuer after their famous victory in 2009. We can only hope they've become successful in whatever field they've decided to pursue.

4:01PM

Germany starting lineup

Germany 4-2-3-1

Pollersbeck; Toljan, Stark, Kempf, Gerhardt; Arnold, Haberer, Philipp, Gnabry, Meyer,  ; Selke

 

3:52PM

England starting lineup

England 4-2-3-1

Pickford; Holgate, Chambers, Mawson, Chilwell; Chalobah, Hughes; Ward-Prowse, Baker, Gray; Abraham

 

3:51PM

Preview

What is it?

It's the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championships and it's only England against Germany!

The semi-final is a repeat of the 2009 final, which Germany won 4-0.

When is it?

Tuesday June 27, more commonly known as 'today'.

What time is it?

The match kicks off at 5pm.

What TV channel is it on?

England v Germany, Euro Under-21s final 2009: Where are they now?
England v Germany, Euro Under-21s final 2009: Where are they now?

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports, with build up starting from 4:30pm.

What's the team news?

Nathaniel Chalobah  - Credit: EPA 
Nathaniel Chalobah is a slight doubt for the semi-final Credit: EPA

Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Redmond will be assessed before kick off after they were both forced off early in England's 3-0 win over Poland.

Chelsea midfielder Chalobah has a suspected groin problem while Southampton winger Redmond suffered a hamstring scare.

"Both Nathaniel and Nathan have improved significantly since we took the precaution of bringing them off and Nathaniel played a part in Monday's training session towards the end," said England coach, Aidy Boothroyd.

Aidy Boothroyd - Credit: PA 
Aidy Boothroyd during his press conference ahead of tonight's semi-final Credit: PA

What are they saying?

Having qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time since 2009, Aidy Boothroyd hopes his side can go one step further and get the opportunity to emulate the achievements of the England under-20s. 

England are looking for a third European title after back-to-back triumphs in 1982 and 1984.

Demarai Gray - Credit: Demarai Gray 
Demarai Gray celebrates scoring Poland Credit: Demarai Gray

"We know we've got a very tough opponent and we have a great deal of respect for the German team and it will be a very difficult game for us as well.

"But I hope that we can execute the game plan. If we can we will have a good chance."

The Young Lions have played eight semi-finals at U21 level, winning three and losing five.

"We want to be known as teams that win tournaments, but we know we've got a very tough opponent and we have a great deal of respect for the German team and it will be a very difficult game for us as well.

Aidy Boothroyd - Credit: PA 
Aidy Boothroyd hordes all the balls as his England players train ahead of the semi-final Credit: PA

"I hope that we can execute the game plan. If we can we will have a good chance."

"I think it's important when you've got players thinking like that because it means they're making their own decisions and they're accountable for them," he said.

"I think part of being a coach is to be able to facilitate everybody else's thoughts. Two brains are better than one, so if you've got 23 lads all contributing then you're in a good place."

Serge Gnabry  - Credit: Getty Images 
Stefan Kuntz talks tactics with his captain, former Arsenal winger, Serge Gnabry Credit: Getty Images

Stefan Kuntz, who scored a penalty for Germany in their semi-final win over England at Euro 96, says there are some parallels between the team he played in and the team he now manages. 

“It’s very funny. Some of my players are asking me now because I think somebody told them. There are many parallels – the first game we played against Czech Republic and the third against Italy and now a semi-final against England. Of course, I have to tell them because they don’t remember.”

Stefan Kuntz - Credit: AP
Stefan Kuntz celebrates Oliver Bierhoff's Euro 96 final goal Credit: AP

The Germany coach also expressed his dissatisaction with the fact England have had extra recovery time ahead of the semi-final.

“England have had more rest because they played before us and that could be a small advantage," said Kuntz.

"Whoever is in best shape with their performance will win.”

What are the odds?

England win 2/1

Germany win 6/4

Draw 9/4

What's our prediction?

England to finally banish the ghosts of Euro 96 with a 2-1 win over Germany.