Germany on final mission

Tonight sees the climax to UEFA European Under-19 Championship Group B, with Germany needing a win against Belgium in Lillestrøm to assure themselves of a place in Sunday's final against Spain.

Anything but straightforward
That statement may make the group sound straightforward, but it is far from that. The Republic of Ireland and England, who face each other in Hønefoss, are also eyeing top spot, while Belgium maintain a mathematical hope of reaching the final.

Several possible outcomes
Germany head the standings with four points, but if they draw or lose a win for either Ireland or England, who have three and two points respectively, in the evening's other game could be enough to see either of them reach the final at Germany's expense.

Lots of incentive
There is also the incentive for all four sides of knowing that second place earns a berth in Sunday's bronze medal match against Slovakia, while third place secures qualification for the FIFA World Youth Championship. Another possible scenario is that Belgium beat Germany, while Ireland and England draw. In that case England would finish bottom of the group and the remaining three teams would have to be separated by goal difference.

Germany's fate in their own hands
What is undisputable is that Germany's fate rests squarely in their own hands – if they win the only unresolved question will be whether it is England or Ireland that finish second. No wonder then that Germany coach Ulrich Stielike said: "We won't speculate on anything, we've got just one aim – to beat Belgium and reach the final."

Hanke could return
Stielike made six changes to his side for the Ireland game, which resulted in a 3-0 victory, but has vowed not to alter the side radically again, saying: "We probably won't make so many changes." One man who could return to the starting lineup, however, is forward Mike Hanke, who has scored in both games but was only a substitute last time.

First-choice forward
"Usually Hanke is a first-choice forward but he played for 90 minutes against England as he was a little tired," Stielike said. "He came into today's game [against Ireland] because David Odonkor said he was a little tired and he did the business."

Blondel worry
Belgium will hope that the influential Jonathan Blondel has recovered fully after going off injured during his side's 1-1- draw with England.  "He is our playmaker and most influential player, so that made the match difficult,"" said coach Marc van Geersom. "Now the game with Germany will mean everything to us and we could win."

No shortage of motivation
The night's other game between old rivals Ireland and England will also see no shortage of motivation. After their opening victory against Belgium, Ireland coach Brian Kerr admitted his side "weren't good enough" against Germany.

'We're in with a great chance'
"For us the most crucial thing is the next game against England," he said. "We've done well at these tournaments, we've usually been in at the last day which is very satisfactory for us. We're in with a great chance of reaching the final or getting second place in our group and that was our aim coming here to be in the medal places on the last day and make the [FIFA] World Championships."

'We'll be up against it'
Turning his attention to England, Kerr said: "From watching the tape of the first game England look like a very good side indeed. They've got some pace in the team, they're very well organised and they were unfortunate not to beat Germany. So we'll be up against it but we're used to that, most of our players are familiar with their style and they're playing at the same clubs in many cases so it's another challenge for us and we'll be ready and able."

England look to respond
England, having twice conceded leads to draw both their games, will be looking to respond with a win, which could still be enough to reach the final, as coach Martin Hunter explained: "I am glad that both Belgium and Germany have something to play for in the last game, that could be our chance to reach the final," he said.

'Part of their international education'
"We played good attacking football [against Belgium] and created a lot of chances, but I am disappointed with the result and that we lost our lead again," Hunter continued. "But the players are here to learn and gain experience, this tournament is a part of their international education."