Germany recover to make flying start

UEFA European Under-17 Championship hosts Germany came from behind against Turkey to become the only team to win on Matchday 1 and take early control of Group B.

Swift reponse
Hasan Ahmet Sari put Turkey into a tenth-minute lead, but Kevin Scheidhauer levelled almost immediately. Christopher Buchtmann's opportunist goal early in the second half proved a decisive breakthrough and Shkodran Mustafi's header clinched victory not long before Turkey were reduced to ten men. A win for Germany against England in Jena on Saturday would book a semi-final berth.

Hasan pounces
The 5,107 crowd in Erfurt were keen for German goals and on six minutes they nearly got one, Scheidhauer cutting in from the left but Florian Trinks turning his cross just wide. Instead it was the Turkish fans celebrating when Berkin Kamil Arslan's corner was headed on goal by Deniz Herber and although keeper Marc-André ter Stegen parried, Hasan pounced on the rebound.

Equaliser
Seconds later, though, Marvin Plattenhardt's excellent diagonal ball fell for Scheidhauer to volley an equaliser. It would have been hard for the game to continue at that pace and although Berkin Kamil Arslan and German-born Gökhan Töre went close for Turkey, at the other end the hosts found their efforts blunted.

Buchtmann strikes
After a similarly frustrating opening to the second half, Germany sent on leading scorer Lennart Thy and within a few minutes he shot agonisingly wide. But soon after Buchtmann picked up the ball near the penalty spot and gave Deniz Memhet no chance with his shot. In response Turkey introduced their own prolific No9, Muhammet Demir, and the red-booted veteran of last year's home semi-final run did add zest.

Clincher
However, with 12 minutes left Buchtmann's corner from the right was headed in by Mustafi. To make matters worse for Turkey, Gökhan then received a second yellow card and will be suspended against the Netherlands, who earlier today drew 1-1 with England.