England book their passage

England will go forward to the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off draw after beating Greece 2-1 at Blackburn’s Ewood Park stadium to win Group Nine ahead of their opponents.

Nervous finale
England knew only a win would be good enough to qualify directly for next week’s draw in Prague and Jermain Defoe and Malcolm Christie scored for David Platt's side before Dimitrios Papadopoulos's late penalty ensured a nervous finale in front of 29,164 fans.

Low shot
West Ham United FC striker Defoe lost his marker to head home a Jonathan Greening cross after 10 minutes to put England ahead. Substitute Christie, fed by David Prutton, made the game safe five minutes from time when he broke clear and fired low past Greek goalkeeper Stefanos Kotsolis.

Late penalty
Papadopoulos, who plays for English first division side Burnley FC, scored a stoppage time penalty for the Greeks after being felled by the otherwise outstanding Ledley King. Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Papadopoulos (twice) and Georgios Kiriazis all had clear sights of goal for the Greeks but England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland proved equal to their efforts.

Greece face waiting game
Aston Villa FC pair Darius Vassell and Gareth Barry also squandered good chances for the home side, who just about deserved their fourth successive win under Platt's guidance. Greece, who finished second ahead of Germany, have to wait to find out if they go through to the play-off draw as one of the best runners-up.