Perfect Czechs too strong for holders

The Czech Republic took command of Group 5 in qualifying for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with a 2-1 win against defending champions Germany in Wiesbaden. Michael Rabušic scored once in each half, the second a penalty, as the Czechs won their fourth successive match in the section, leaving Mats Hummels's late penalty as nothing more than a consolation for the hosts, who also had Stefano Celozzi sent off.

Czechs impress
The visiting side seized the early initiative and took the lead in the 21st minute when Rabušic converted Adam Hloušek's low cross. Germany, in contrast, were unable to make the most of the chances they created, coming closest in the 30th minute when Deniz Naki's shot was brilliantly tipped over by Czech goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík. The Czechs were happy to sit back after the restart and strike on the break and the tactic worked to perfection on 70 minutes when Hloušek was held back by Celozzi in the area and awarded a penalty. Celozzi was dismissed and Rabušic stepped up to fire his side 2-0 ahead.

Consolation
That double blow proved too much for Germany, even though Hummels gained some measure of consolation from the penalty spot in the second minute of added time. It was the champions' first competitive defeat since a surprise loss to Moldova on 19 August 2008 in qualifying for this summer's finals and leaves them with a mountain to climb in Group 5. The Czech Republic have 12 points from four games with Germany on three points from their two.