Russia land decisive blow

Aleksandr Prudnikov emerged from the bench to score the late goal that sent Russia to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final against the Czech Republic after a game that Germany, unbeaten in 14 games all season, had dominated.

Pomazan heroics
Russian goalkeeper Evgeni Pomazan was the hero with a string of saves, notably from the prolific Manuel Fischer. German Football Association president Theo Zwanziger and new sporting director Matthias Sammer were among those present at Luxembourg's national stadium for this semi-final but their team will not be back here for Sunday's final.

Winning lineup
Germany, unsurprisingly, were unchanged from their 4-0 win at this stadium against Serbia and Montenegro, while Russia brought captain Vadim Gagloev back into midfield at the expense of Denis Scherbak. Before kick-off came the news that the Czech Republic, and not favourites Spain, had won through to the final and Germany - who finished above the Czechs in Group B - were clearly keen to avoid an upset themselves, attacking from the off with Fischer forcing Pomazan to make an early save.

Early dominance
But Russia soon settled and a clever Roman Amirkhanov cross fell to Evgeni Korotaev, but Ron-Robert Zieler made a point-blank save. Germany then broke but Fischer shot over. The No9, a hat-trick scorer on Monday at this stadium, broke through again on 20 minutes but shot wide from a tight angle. Marco Vrancic then got in on the act with a stinging effort that Pomazan could only palm over.

Stöber influence
Urged on by vocal coach Bernd Stöber, Germany were totally dominant and Toni Kroos danced through the Russian defence and again Pomazan was forced into action. Down every channel Germany were rampant; Marko Marin on the left, Toni Kroos down the middle and captain Björn Kopplin on the right. An example of Stöber's influence was seen in a corner on the half-hour; he told Vrancic to aim for the far post, the No16 duly did and Fischer ghosted in to head only just over. Even when Korotaev broke through for Russia, David Vrzogic made a cool saving tackle.

Pomazan busy
The only thing lacking was a German goal. Lars Bender nearly produced one seven minutes into the second half, his lob was tipped over a full stretch by Pomazan, who then made a fantastic save from a Fischer header. The goalkeeper had kept Russia in the game but Germany's tempo was slowing and Vrancic, who had been moving gingerly throughout the second half, gave way to Timo Gebhart on the hour.

Late drama
But it was the introduction of Prudnikov up front for Russia that made the difference with less than ten minutes left. The lively Dmitri Ryzhov sprinted up the left and his cross was perfectly placed for Prudnikov, scorer of five goals in qualifying, to turn in. Now Pomazan needed to produce more superb stops, and Fischer was again frustrated, with substitute Sebastian Huke blasting the rebound off target. Russia, whose vital group stage result was a similar 1-0 win against Hungary, will return to the Josy Barthel on Sunday evening, though they will be without midfielder Semen Fomin due to suspension; Germany now face a third-place play-off with Spain that many expected to be the final.