Netherlands through despite Germany defeat

Germany clinched first place in UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B with a perfect record after victory against the Netherlands, who join the hosts in the semi-finals.

Dutch relief
Already through before today's game in Jena, Germany delighted a crowd of more than 6,000 with goals either side of half-time by Lennart Thy and Manuel Janzer. They face Italy in Friday's semi-finals and the Netherlands will take on Group A winners Switzerland as although their loss here meant they could have been pipped if England had defeated Turkey by three goals in Gotha, in fact John Peacock's side lost 1-0.

Plattenhardt effort
The first real chance came on 16 minutes when Stefan de Vrij hooked the ball wide of the German goal. Indeed, against a Germany team with four changes from the 4-0 defeat of England here on Saturday, including the absence of suspended Christopher Buchtmann, the Netherlands made most of the first-half running.

Thy strike
However, home defender Shkodran Mustafi did go close with a header just past the half-hour and five minutes before the interval Germany were ahead. Abu-Bakarr Kargbo showed a fine touch to set up Thy in the box, and the No9 fired in his second goal in as many games.

Lead doubled
Three minutes into the second half the Netherlands looked all set to equalise when Oguzhan Özyakup set Luc Castaignos clear but the striker's effort bounced back off the underside of the crossbar and Shabir Isoufi headed the rebound over. Germany went straight down the other end and from outside the box Janzer produced a superb drive to double the lead.

Netherlands push
With progress not definitely secure, the Netherlands did not let their heads drop and Castaignos made Marc-André ter Stegen work in the German goal, while Mohamed Madmar, on his first start of the finals, shot over after a solo run. However, Turkey's late goal in Gotha meant they were soon able to turn their minds to Friday.