Group 9: Germany get the better of Greece

A late goal from Georgios Kazantzis was not enough to prevent Germany beating Greece 2-1 in Lübeck. After a goalless first half Paul Freier gave the Germans the lead almost immediately after the restart. Greece captain Razvan-Michal Berneanou was sent off on 66 minutes and Germany extended their lead four minutes later when Daniel Bierofka beat Nikolaos Anastasopoulos.

Regal Roiha
Two goals from Paulus Roiha inspired Finland to a 3-0 home win over Albania. Roiha struck once in each half, sandwiching a 46th minute Mika Väyrynen goal that helped the Finns coast home comfortably.

Bierofka leaves it late
An 87th minute goal from Daniel Bierofka earned a draw for Germany against an England side who were reduced to ten men after the 65th minute sending off of Stephen Wright. Titus Bramble had earlier scored just before half-time to give England the lead in front of over 30,000 fans at Pride Park stadium, Derby.

Greek comeback kids
Greece secured their first win of their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign as they came from behind to beat Finland 3-1 in Athens. Paulus Roiha’s third goal in two qualifiers gave the visitors an early lead but a 33rd minute strike from Angelos Charisteas and second half goals from Ioannis Amanatidis and Georgios Vakouftsis completed a fine comeback by the hosts.

Vakouftsis steadies Greek nerves
An 87th minute goal from Georgios Vakouftsis gave Greece their second consecutive win in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign as they beat Albania 1-0 in Tirana. Vakouftsis’ effort, which beat substitute goalkeeper Arjon Mustafa, means he has now scored in two consecutive qualifiers.

Smith sees red
England forward Alan Smith scored a goal but was later sent off as England drew 2-2 in Finland in this Group 7 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier. Henrik Daniel Sjölund gave the hosts a 15th minute lead before England captain David Dunn levelled the scores on 31 minutes. Smith struck just after the break to put the visitors ahead but just a minute later Sjölund’s second goal levelled the scores at 2-2. Smith was sent off soon afterwards but neither side could force a winner.

Rampant Germany
Germany ran rampant in the Köln-Süd stadium, Cologne as they thrashed Albania 8-0. At half-time only a Daniel Bierofka goal separated the sides, but seven second half goals, another from Bierofka, a hat-trick from Christian Timm and further strikes from Fabian Ernst, Florian Bruns and Christian Rahn, swamped the Albanians.

England get first win
England secured their first win of their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Finland. Darius Vassell put the hosts on their way with a 29th minute strike and in the last 15 minutes of the match Sean Davis and a brace of goals from Foluwashola Ameobi made sure of the three points.

Greening holds his nerve
A 69th minute penalty from Jonathan Greening gave England their second straight win in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 7 as they overcame Albania 1-0 in Tirana. Albania’s Ardit Beqiri was sent off for his part in the incident that led to the decisive spot kick.

Greece end German run
Greece ended Germany’s unbeaten qualification campaign with a hard fought 2-0 win to go top of Group 7. Georgios Dimitri Kyriazis converted a first half penalty to put the Greeks on their way. Germany’s Sebastian Kehl was sent off in the 73rd minute and Greece took advantage of their numerical superiority to score a second goal in the final minute through Ioannis Amanatidis.

Brilliant Bruns
Two goals from Florian Bruns enabled Germany to come away from a tricky encounter in Finland with a 3-1 victory. Bruns struck early although Hannu Haarala gave the hosts hope with a 42nd minute equaliser. Mahmut Yilmaz then put the visitors ahead 2-1 before Bruns completed a highly satisfactory night’s work for the Germans with a third goal 15 minutes from time.

Greece frustrated
Greece lost the leadership of Group 7 after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Albania in the National stadium. Neither side were able to break the deadlock despite a flurry of second half substitutions. Both teams picked up two bookings apiece.

Misery for Terry
Greece continued their impressive Group 7 campaign with a 3-1 victory over England in Athens. First half strikes from Dimitrios Papadopoulos and Georgios Vakouftsis gave the home side a comfortable 2-0 lead. After the interval England’s John Terry put the ball into his own net. Michael Carrick then scored a consolation goal for the visitors but the late sending offs of Luke Young and Terry completed an unhappy night for the English.

Germany do the business
Germany moved back to the top of Group 7 with a narrow 1-0 victory over Albania in Tirana. When Florian Bruns gave the visitors a third minute lead it looked as though a repeat of the 8-0 mauling Albania suffered against the Germans in Cologne in March might be on the cards, However resolute play from the hosts saw the visitors frustrated in their quest for further goals.