Glorious Germany sweep into semi-finals

Germany reached the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship for the third time in four seasons with a highly impressive victory against Bulgaria in Plzen.

Progress assured
Horst Hrubesch's side recorded their second Group A win in straightforward fashion, Dennis Diekmeier and Savio Nsereko finding the net at either end of the first period and Lars Bender adding a third eleven minutes into the second. The result also confirmed that Germany's next opponents Hungary – 1-0 winners against holders Spain in the day's early game – will also reach the semi-finals for the first time, with the top two meeting in Pribram on Sunday to determine who wins the section. For Bulgaria, there could yet be the considerable consolation of a place in next year's FIFA U-20 World Cup, although to do that they will have to beat Spain in Zizkov in their final fixture.

Diekmeier delight
Having opened the finals with an impressive victory against Spain, it was little surprise Germany were in buoyant mood and, although they were initially unable to find a way through the Bulgarian back line, they scored with their first real attack in the 16th minute. Bender broke down the right and crossed to Diekmeier, who was given the time to control and pick his spot from eight metres, sweeping his shot across Ivan Karadjov and into the bottom corner. The roles were almost reversed moments later when Diekmeier cut back a cross that Bender stabbed over.

Advantage doubled
Bulgaria welcomed back strikers Ismail Isa Mustafa and Radoslav Vasilev after suspension yet struggled to penetrate a typically well-organised Germany defence, and their plans were further disrupted when Tsetelin Panov had to be replaced by Mihail Aleksandrov five minutes after the opening goal. Nsereko and Richard Sukuta-Pasu both missed the target from distance as half-time approached but Germany did double their lead two minutes before the interval. Nsereko retrieved Dennis Naki's right-wing cross on the edge of the area, turning and bursting past Daniel Zlatkov to drive a fine low effort inside the far post.

Bender on target
The pattern continued into the second half, Germany substitute Rahman Soyudogru racing clear on to Kristian Uzunov's loose header and forcing a diving save from Karadjov. Bulgaria's reprieve was short-lived, however, as from the resulting corner Bender volleyed in a third from the edge of the area. The goalkeeper subsequently made a fine save to deny Timo Gebhart but Germany had already done more than enough.