Ninis keeps England in check
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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Greece 1-1 England
A Sotiris Ninis strike earned the hosts a point as they came from behind to draw with the 2009 finalists to stay top of Group 7.
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England were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their second Group 9 qualifier for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship against a Greece side who maintained their unbeaten start.
Sturridge strike
England, beaten finalists at this summer's finals tournament, appeared to be on their way to a second straight victory when Daniel Sturridge gave them an early lead, but the home side, victors in their opening two games of the section, levelled before the break through Sotiris Ninis and had chances to win after the interval. Stuart Pearce's side flew out of the blocks and Sturridge rattled the post from a free-kick even before the Chelsea FC talent gave England a fifth-minute lead. Daniel Rose was the architect of the goal, beating two men on the left before crossing low for Sturridge to score from close range.
Greece top
Kostas Mitroglou kick-started Greece with two decent efforts before they levelled after 41 minutes when Ninis's shot from distance deflected off James Tomkins and wrong-footed England goalkeeper Scott Loach. Greece had the best chances of the second half, first when Mitroglou burst through one on one only to fire at Loach's legs, then when Ninis rounded the goalkeeper but shot wide. Nevertheless, the draw keeps Greece at the head of the group with seven points from three matches with England on four from their two games.