Germany through at Switzerland's expense

Germany booked their place at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament with victory over neighbours Switzerland.

Steffen Freund's side needed a point to confirm their names in next Tuesday's draw but made sure with a third successive 2-0 win in elite round Group 4. Second-half goals from Samed Yesil and Cimo Röcker did the damage, though the home side did not have it all their own way in Düsseldorf against the nation that deposed them as holders last season.

Patrick Weihrauch's hopeful shot from the kick-off almost gave Germany the kind of start not even the majority of the 3,700 fans could have dreamed of. World champions Switzerland survived that scare, however, and promptly took control. A corner just evaded Massivi Tsimba's head and Michael Frey forced goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos into action.

The lively Frey went close again from range before firing straight at Vlachodimos after a goalmouth scramble. It was more of the same after half-time but, out of the blue, Germany forged ahead on 62 minutes. Yesil latched on to a long ball and coolly slotted in his eighth goal in qualifying. Four minutes later the game was up for Switzerland as Röcker rifled in from distance.

Germany had opportunities to extend their advantage through Okan Aydin and Weihrauch and will head to Serbia in May with confidence high after beating a side that ended their ambitions at this stage 12 months ago. Switzerland, who hit the post late on through an Endogan Adili free-kick, ended third in the section and will not now defend their 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup title.