German success settles placings

By Márton Dinnyés at Buk stadium

Germany eased into the semi-finals of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship as the winners of Group A by defeating a Finland side who advanced as runners-up 3-1 in Buk.

Thursday games
Both sides had won their opening two matches to secure the top two spots with a game to spare, meaning today's fixture would decide the placings. First-half goals from Nicole Banecki, Célia Okoyino Da Mbabi and Isabel Kerschowski provided Germany with an unassailable half-time advantage, although Linda Sällström did pull one back in the 57th minute. The Germans now meet Russia in the last four on Thursday, when Finland tackle France.

Banecki effort
Banecki was an unused substitute in Germany's opening matches and was keen to take her chance with three regular attacking midfielders either rested or suspended. With six minutes gone she flicked the ball to Katharina Griessemer and watched the No15 swivel, shoot and bring a save out of Tinja-Riikka Korpela. The Finland goalkeeper was then a spectator as an Okoyino Da Mbabi shot whistled past her upright before the Germans finally scored on 20 minutes.

Cushioned goal
Anna Blässe and Katharina Griessemer instigated a swift counterattack which ended with Banecki receiving the ball, holding off two defenders and placing a low shot into the corner of the net. Two minutes later the advantage was doubled as the ever-impressive Okoyino Da Mbabi timed a run into the box to connect with a free-kick and effortlessly cushioned the ball in for her third goal in as many games.

Space available
Germany temporarily relinquished a 2-0 lead in their previous game against Switzerland before running out 5-2 winners but were not in such generous mood tonight, Kerschowski scoring a brilliant third after jinking past a number of Finland defenders and firing in from near the penalty spot. With Okoyino Da Mbabi taken off at the interval, however, there was suddenly space available for the Finns to exploit.

Sällström scores
They did just that as Sällström - introduced as a 26th-minute substitute after scoring three times from the bench in two games - showed movement, pace and strength belying her 17 years to beat Tessa Rinkes at the third attempt. Sällström and Taru Laihanen were within centimetres of further reducing the gap in the 82nd minute, although neither player could touch in Elina Sormunen's centre.

Downpour
That proved to be the final chance as the pitch was suddenly battered by rain. Twenty seconds after full time the lights on the stadium went out, but not those on Germany and Finland's chances and both are now a step away from a spot in Sunday's final.