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Germany get the better of Bulgaria

Bulgaria 0-3 Germany
Davie Selke opened the scoring in the first minute and added a third after Anthony Syhre had also found the net for the 2008 champions.

Germany get the better of Bulgaria
Germany get the better of Bulgaria ©UEFA.com

Germany produced a clinical display to mark their UEFA European Under-19 Championship return with a comfortable win against Bulgaria in Gyor.

• First-half goals from Selke (1) and Syhre (28)
• Selke scores third just before hour
• Germany play Serbia on Tuesday; Bulgaria v Ukraine

Just as in the earlier Group B game between Ukraine and Serbia, the deadlock was broken in the first minute, Davie Selke volleying in at the far post, and Anthony Syhre extended the lead in similar fashion before half an hour had elapsed. Selke made it three early in the second period as Germany made sure of the points.

Back in the finals for the first time since 2008, Marcus Sorg's side wasted no time making their presence felt. Benjamin Trümner broke away down the right and Selke peeled away at the back post to volley low past the exposed Aleksandar Lyubenov, the striker's sixth goal in as many games in this season's competition.

Bulgaria keeper Aleksandar Ljubenov
Bulgaria keeper Aleksandar Ljubenov©Sportsfile

Bulgaria strove for a response, Kiril Despodov opting to cross instead of shoot when through on the left while Nikola Kolev's well-struck effort was beaten away by Oliver Schnitzler. Instead, Germany tightened their grip on the game in the 28th minute; Niklas Stark flicked on Marc Stendera's right-wing corner and Syhre ghosted in unnoticed to volley in.

Eleven minutes into the second period, another well-worked effort made it three. Stendera advanced unchecked down the right and pulled back for Hany Mukhtar at the top of the penalty area. The midfielder unselfishly squared for Selke to prod into the corner of the net and, though Despodov in particular went close for Bulgaria, Germany had made sure of a winning start.