Germany leave it late to reach Under-17 final

Germany will take on the Netherlands in Monday's UEFA European Under-17 Championship final in Magdeburg after Reinhold Yabo and Bienvenue Basala-Mazana struck in the last ten minutes to decide their last-four tie against Italy.

Late goals
The hosts were given their toughest game of the finals in Dessau-Rosslau against an Italy team who, in the national style, have improved as this tournament has gone on. Both goalkeepers had been made to work before Italy's Mattia Perin was finally beaten by Yabo after superb work from Christopher Buchtmann and Basala-Mazana then became Germany's ninth different finals scorer.

Returning forwards
Seven different Germany players had contributed to their nine-goal and nine-point Group B tally and with the return of winger Buchtmann from suspension and forwards Kevin Scheidhauer and Mario Götze after being rested in the 2-0 defeat of the Netherlands, the hosts began in confident fashion. One lightning combination between Scheidhauer and Götze brought out some last-ditch defending.

Threat
However with the first-half wind behind them, Italy were ensuring Germany got little room in midfield and Giacomo Beretta was proving a menace, forcing Marc-André ter Stegen into a point-blank save from an opportunist strike and then heading wide from Marco Fossati's cross. Germany were still having their moments, though, Buchtmann – having switched from the left to right flank – setting Thy free to shoot just wide. Italy also threatened in the air, Simone Dell'Agnello heading over from FC Internazionale Milano colleague Lorenzo Crisetig's free-kick.

Saves
Even with the wind behind them after the interval Germany were not having things their own way though a jinking Buchtmann run and cross found Scheidhauer, whose header was blocked, and not long afterwards the striker's drive was caught by Perin, back in the Italy goal after suspension for the 2-1 win against France. Dell'Agnello ran on to a Crisetig chip and Ter Stegen did well to claw away the shot.

Breakthrough
At the other end Perin got low to deny Scheidhauer while Italy captain Simone Sini's free-kick did not find its way over Ter Stegen. A goal could have come at either end, in the end it was Germany that got it. Buchtmann cut in on the right and crossed low. Perin managed to parry Götze's initial effort but a scramble ensured and Germany captain Yabo was in position to lash in. The hosts did not settle for that, though, and after a superb interchange Götze laid off for right-back Basala-Mazana to seal their place in Monday morning's decider.