Germany too strong for Danes

Second-half goals from Fatmire Bajramaj and Nadine Kessler saw Germany take a significant step towards a place in the European Women's Under-19 Championship semi-finals with victory against Denmark.

Penalty opener
Having come from a goal down to beat Belgium in their opening Group A fixture, the Danes went into the match in high spirits but were brought back to earth by a strong German side. Bajramaj eventually broke the deadlock from the penalty spot seven minutes after half-time and it was not long before Kessler added a second, leaving Denmark needing a point from their final Group A fixture against Sweden on Sunday.

Pre-match storm
By contrast Germany need just a point against Belgium to ensure their progress, and will hope to make a bright start after initially struggling with the greasy conditions in Langenthal. A thunderstorm saw the kick-off delayed by 15 minutes and it was the Danes who adapted quickest, as Marie Bjerg rifled narrowly wide just before the half-hour following a mazy run on the right flank that left two defenders in her wake.

Kerschowski threat
But Germany gradually found their feet and stepped it up before the interval as Kessler twice threatened a shaky Cecilie Sørensen. They maintained the initiative after the restart and were soon rewarded when Juliane Maier was brought down in the penalty area by Maja Biltoft Sandberg. Bajramaj kept her cool to convert the spot-kick and almost added a second on 66 minutes but fired over after a good exchange between Kessler and the excellent Isabel Kerschowski.

Comfortable finale
Kessler was more accurate 60 second later, turning on the penalty spot and driving the ball high into the roof of the net. With Sunday's match in mind it was their cue to sit back and soak up the pressure, although it was the Germans that looked the most likely to add to the scoring as Denmark's progress suffered a setback.

Player of the Match: Isabel Kerschowski (Germany)