Hanke shines as Germany advance

Germany booked their place in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs with three games to spare by recording a comfortable 2-0 win against Azerbaijan.

Rensing injury
After Poland were held to a 2-2 draw by Austria earlier in the day, Germany and England knew they would advance with victories and effectively render their match in Mainz on Tuesday a play-off for Group 6 supremacy. Both did so with ease, England defeating Wales 4-0 and Christian Schulz and Mike Hanke scoring without reply for Germany.

Goalkeeping change
Germany coach Dieter Eilts was forced into a goalkeeping change after losing FC Bayern München custodian Michael Rensing to a shoulder injury, although stand-in René Adler will rarely have had a quieter evening. Hanke was irrepressible throughout and on 13 minutes the VfL Wolfsburg striker won a penalty which Schulz, of Werder Bremen, calmly converted.

Standing ovation
Germany continued to dictate the tempo and created further chances, Hanke and Roberto failing to score from the most presentable ones. Ten minutes into the second half the lead was doubled as the Hamburger SV midfielder Piotr Trochowski fed Hanke to head his 12th goal in his 22nd outing for his country. Coach Eilts replaced Hanke with ten minutes remaining, his performance drawing a standing ovation.