Selke double sends Germany to summit

Germany eased into the UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-finals with a comfortable win against Ukraine to secure first place in Group B – who were denied the runners-up spot by a late Serbia goal.

• Selke (3, 66) scores fourth and fifth goals of finals
• Group B winners Germany play Austria in semis
• Ukraine denied second place by 90th-minute Serbia strike

Germany could scarcely have begun better as Davie Selke's prolific form continued with an assured finish in the third minute, and after a number of chances had gone begging the striker made it two midway through the second period. That left Ukraine nervously waiting Serbia's result against Bulgaria; Staniša Mandić's 90th-minute effort confirmed the worst.

Having scored late against Serbia last time out, Germany picked up where they had left off. Just over two minutes had elapsed when Selke laid the ball back to Marc Stendera, took the return and shifted on to his left foot to fire his fourth finals goal low past Bogdan Sarnavskiy.

Ukraine were largely penned back in the early stages, but might have scored twice in quick succession just before the quarter-hour. Ihor Kharatin's 25-metre effort nearly squirmed under Oliver Schnitzler but instead bounced up and over; from the resulting corner, Mykyta Burda rose highest. His header came back off the crossbar.

That aside, Germany dictated the tempo in the opening 45 minutes, Stendera passing up one gilt-edged chance from Julian Brandt's clever pass. Levin Öztunali came even closer just before the break, unleashing a vicious swerving effort from range that came back off the post.

Marcus Sorg congratulates Benjamin Trümner©Getty Images

The pattern continued into the second period, Sarnavskiy parrying a Brandt effort while Stendera's slipped pass sent Selke clear; for once the striker's aim was wayward. Moments later he made amends, as Öztunali found him in the area; Selke allowed the ball to run across two defenders before slotting in a composed finish. Initially it looked as if both teams would end happy; to Ukraine's chagrin, Serbia had other ideas.

Marcus Sorg, Germany coach
It was very important for us to be so organised because Ukraine are very structured in their defensive play. We needed to be as well to break through. We've scored early goals against Bulgaria and Ukraine now: you can't plan for that but I'm very pleased, it's a good victory. That's why Davie Selke plays up front, that's what he's there for; if he hadn't scored, someone else would. We've worked on our structure, moving the ball better and our organisation – but it would be horrible if we didn't still have things to improve.

Oleksandr Petrakov, Ukraine coach
Germany are simply a better team at the moment. I have no right to mourn about the lack of luck or anything else: the Germans were better. We tried to concentrate on defence, as you simply can't afford to play attacking football against Germany. We did it just once during today's match and immediately they have created a good chance. I can only congratulate the coaches of Germany and Serbia, Marcus Sorg and Veljko Paunović, whom I know very well. Their qualification into the semi-finals is well deserved.