Group 5: Freescoring Germany send warning shot

Germany and Israel have reached the second qualifying round of the 2002/03 UEFA European Under-19 Championship after taking the top two places in the Group 5 mini-tournament.

Irresistible Germany
Ulrich Stielike's Germany, who were runners-up in the 2001/02 tournament, were in irresistible form, running in 21 goals as they won all three games and conceding just one. Germany began the tournament with a 10-0 victory against an overwhelmed San Marino, with Erdal Kilicaslan scoring four times and Piotr Trochowski, one of the stars of last season's tournament, also getting on the scoresheet.

Shooting boots
Israel began their campaign with a 4-0 victory against Azerbaijan with Biruk scoring twice. In their next game the Israelis again had their shooting boots on as they registered a 4-0 win against the Sanmarinese, with Dayan notching a hat-trick. Meanwhile, Germany continued their fine form by hitting seven goals past Azerbaijan, with Kilicaslan grabbing a double to add to his four goals against San Marino.

Places assured
Germany and Israel met in the final round of games knowing that their places in the second qualifying round were already assured. However, with top spot in the group still up for grabs there was still much to play for. In the event the Germans proved too skilled for their opponents, racing into a 4-0 lead, with Kilicaslan scoring yet again, before Cohen struck a consolation goal.

Tough group
The final 4-1 scoreline left Germany clear at the top and sent them into second qualifying round Group 1, where they will face Czech Republic as well as whichever sides finish second in first-round Groups 1 and 8. Meanwhile, Israel will face holders Spain, 2001 UEFA Under-18 champions Poland and highly-rated France in an extremely tough Group 2.