Glorious Germany sweep Estonia aside

Holders Germany enjoyed a perfect start to their UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite round campaign, Andre Schürrle scoring in each half as Group 7 hosts Estonia were brushed aside in Tallinn.

Fine win
Heiko Herrlich's team had scored ten goals in winning all three qualifying round matches and were quickly back in the groove at the A Le Coq Arena, Lewis Holtby twice going close early on before Schürrle headed the opener in the 26th minute. Holtby made it two from the edge of the area eight minutes before half-time and, though Sebastian Rudy and Patrick Funk went close just past the hour, Germany had to wait for the closing stages to extend their advantage. Schürrle's 76th-minute free-kick made it 3-0, and there was still time for further goals from substitute Sebastian Rode and Kevin Wolze. The Czech Republic, beaten 5-1 by Spain in the other Matchday 1 game, are Germany's next opponents on Saturday, when Estonia take on Spain.

'Great outcome'
"Five goals is a great outcome as we have respect for Estonia; they've beaten such strong teams as Croatia and Kazakhstan," Herrlich said. "We were lucky to not let a goal in, as Estonia had some chances." His opposite number, Estonia coach Frank Bernhardt, saw plenty of positives, saying: "It's no catastrophe but obviously it's a big defeat. Yet Germany scored four goals thanks to strikes from the distance, and not because of great passing moves. Our defensive system works quite well although we have to improve when defending set-pieces."