'Irresistible' display delights Germany

The German press were unstinting in their praise for Horst Hrubesch's side after their Under-21 success, as the English papers reflected on a gloomy night in Malmo, following the 4-0 defeat for Stuart Pearce's team.

Bild, Germany
Unbelievable! Incredible! Irresistible! We are European champions again! Germany's U21s launched themselves into the footballing heavens in Sweden, winning the final convincingly against England.

The Mirror, England
To Pearce's heartbreaking semi-final defeats as a player against Germany, in Turin 1990 and Wembley '96 ... add Malmo '09. It certainly wasn't the moment for Pearce's side to freeze, and end a 21-match unbeaten run in competitive games dating back to October 2005.

Express, Germany
With their best showing of the tournament, Horst Hrubesch's team played liked they were unleashed against favourites England. Leverkusen's Gonzalo Castro (23), the outstanding Bremen playmaker Mesut Özil (48) and second division striker Sandro Wagner (79, 84) scored to send German Football Federation president Theo Zwanziger and senior national team coach Joachim Löw into raptures in the stands.

The Telegraph, England
England had the ball for 60 per cent of this one-sided game yet Germany used less ball more effectively, particularly when Özil was in charge, particularly when Germany were picking England off by the end with Wagner's breakaways. As ever with England, some of the damage was self-inflicted.

Kicker, Germany
The German U21 national team won the European title for the first time. Hrubesch's team was convincing in beating the English youth side unexpectedly easily 4-0. Especially strong was Mesut Özil, who had a hand in three goals. The victory completes a treble-winning summer for Germany following successes at U17 and U19 level.

The Guardian, England
Germany effectively throttled England. England were collectively second best while, tactically, they were outmanoeuvred.