Turkey claim semi-final berth

By Adrian Harte

A late Aschkan Dejagah goal was not enough to prevent Germany's elimination from the UEFA European Under-19 Championship as Turkey progressed to the semi-finals after an entertaining draw in Fribourg.

Goal difference
Dejagah's last-minute header salvaged a draw for Germany, just seconds after Turkey's midfield player Olcan Adin had slotted in from close range. But Turkey took second place in Group B behind Spain thanks to their superior goal difference.

Woodwork woe
Germany, needing to win, started the game very positively and came close to opening the scoring after ten minutes only for Michael Delura to head against the crossbar.

Wasteful finishing
Turkey were content to play on the break and fashioned a chance of their own after 12 minutes, but Kerim Zengin was denied by René Adler. The game finally came to life in the final 15 minutes of the half after the lively Marcel Jansen sent over an excellent cross from the right but Marcel Schascho headed over. Kerim then went close, before Germany fashioned three gilt-edged chances.

Gomez chances
Firstly, Gomez failed to control when unmarked on the penalty spot, and then Dejagah's astute pass played in Jansen who was foiled by Sener Özcan's feet. The same two players combined again after 40 minutes with Dejagah pulling the ball back for Gomez who miscued.

Turkish threat
There was a further flurry of chances in the final minutes of the half. Jansen missed the target from inside the penalty area before Gomez shot over the bar on the stroke of half-time as Germany continued to press. But a fierce drive from Sezer Öztürk matched by a spectacular save from Adler betwixt those chances was a timely reminder of the Turkish threat.

Sliced shot
The sides were unable to sustain that high tempo upon the restart with the first chance not coming until the 57th minute when Ergün Teber was played in on the right of the area only to slice his shot wide.

Adler saves
Turkey came close again three minutes later when Olcan's free-kick from the right eluded everyone and Adler did well to tip the ball over. Adler came to Germany's rescue again when he raced quickly off his line to save with his feet after Teber had sprung the offside trap to put Kerim clear.

Turkish control
German coach Dieter Eilts introduced Nicky Adler for Gomez after 65 minutes to spice up his side, but it failed to stem the burgeoning Turkish confidence with Hakan Arslantas forcing the German goalkeeper into another decent save as the match entered the final quarter.

Golden opportunities
As the tension mounted both sides squandered excellent chances in quick succession. Firstly, Teber cross's was met by Kerim but the striker's header glanced across the face of the goal. Seconds later, Lukas Sinkiewicz produced a pinpoint centre to find substitute Adler unmarked but the TSV 1860 München striker headed over.

Magnificent seven
The goals eventually came in the final minutes and Turkey were through to the last four as runners-up behind Spain, and now play Group A winners and tournament hosts Switzerland in the semi-finals, also at Fribourg's St. Léonard stadium. Germany will have to settle for a place in next year's FIFA World Youth Championship.