Impressive Germany take control

By Andreas Alf

Germany moved above England into top spot of Group 6 on goal difference on Tuesday after defeating Poland 3-1 in this UEFA European Under-21 Championship tie in Gdynia.

Germany upbeat
Dieter Eilts’s side now have 14 points from six games level with England and five ahead of Poland, the leading pair's nearest challengers for one of the group’s two play-off berths for a place in the final tournament next summer.

Odonkor opener
Germany controlled from the outset and BV Borussia Dortmund striker David Odonkor scored a deserving, if extraordinary, opener after 17 minutes. Odonkor crossed from the right wing but the ball drifted into the far left corner of Lukasz Fabianski’s goal.

Rensing reflex
Poland came close to hitting back when Pawel Brozek appeared unmarked in front of Michael Rensing shortly before the break, but the FC Bayern München goalkeeper was able to parry his shot.

Brozek equaliser
Poland came more into the game in the second half and drew level on 55 minutes. Again Brozek found himself in alone on Rensing and this time he made no mistake. Germany replied immediately, restoring their lead 30 seconds later from the penalty spot.

Lehmann penalty
Stefan Kiessling was brought down in the penalty area and Matthias Lehmann fired his side ahead from the spot. On 71 minutes VfL Wolfsburg’s Mike Hanke made sure of the victory with Germany’s third and final goal, touching in from close range after good work from SC Freiburg’s Sascha Riether.

England await
Germany next play Azerbaijan on 2 September before hosting England four days after that in the tie that could decide who wins the group. Poland are at home to Austria on 2 September.