Subs send Germany through

An inspired double substitution at half-time by coach Maren Meinert provided the spark that took Germany into Saturday's UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final against France and ended the reign of holders Russia.

Incredible spell
Germany had held a slight edge in the first period but no one could have predicted they would be 3-0 up within ten minutes of the restart. Ann-Christin Angel and Monique Kerschowski had barely been introduced before each scored and Juliane Maier then converted a free-kick. Isabel Kerschoswki's clincher ensured there would be no repeat of Russia's 3-1 win against Germany at this stage last year.

Experienced Russians
Both teams had improved with every group game and were unchanged following comfortable four-goal wins on Sunday. Three-time champions Germany started with only one player that took part in their 2005 semi-final defeat by Russia, striker Fatmire Bajramaj. Their rivals included seven, with four having also played in the 8-0 loss to Germany the year before that. Among that quartet were three Elenas - strikers Danilova and Terekhova plus winger Morozova - who crucially were frustrated by the well-drilled German defence.

Maier threat
Danilova scored a hat-trick against Germany 12 months ago in Hungary but she was a spectator early on as Meinert's side forced a succession of corners. Left-winger Maier then broke through but her shot passed wide of the far post. The same player forced Kristina Slashchinina to tip over with a swerving free-kick, and her crosses caused Russia real concern.

Testing heat
Danilova, meanwhile, was finding life tough against the physical Carolin Schiewe and Babett Peter, and felt the heat of a stifling afternoon in Berne. On the half-hour she advanced and laid off to Terekhova, but after rounding goalkeeper Romina Holz she found herself at too acute an angle to shoot. The highlight of Danilova's half was a sprint on to a Terekhova through-ball and a shot that missed the target but hit a luckless cameraman behind the goal. At the other end Slashchinina showed her bravery to deny Isabel Kerschowski.

Substitutes strike
The other Kerschowski twin, Monique, arrived after half-time along with Angel. And within two minutes Angel, who struck the crucial late equaliser here against Sweden in their opener last Tuesday, had put Germany ahead with a shot from outside the box that eluded Slashchinina's reach. Three minutes later it was Monqiue Kerschowski's turn, rising to head in Nadine Kessler's neat cross, albeit deflecting off two Russian players. Not that it will have mattered to the doubtless satisfaction of Meinert.

Maier makes mark
Set-piece expert Maier was booked for delaying a free-kick 25 metres out, but then sent the eventual shot whistling in off the underside of the bar. Already the match was over as a contest, and Germany remained dominant, making it four on 72 minutes after a tremendous exchange of passes between Bajramaj and Isabel Kerschoswki, who joined her sister on the scoresheet after dribbling past Slashchinina and sliding in Germany's fourth.

Player of the match: Fatmire Bajramaj (Germany)