Germany defy France comeback

Goals in the last five minutes of extra time by substitute Susanne Hartel and Isabel Kerschowski sent holders Germany through to the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final as France were left to rue yet another devastating loss to their rivals, despite an impressive comeback.

Tense finale
Germany claimed the title 12 months ago by beating Les Bleuettes 3-0 and as they opened a two-goal lead by midway through the half with goals from Stephanie Goddard (43) and Nicole Banecki (66), the holders looked set for a similar triumph. Marie-Laure Delie reduced the arrears within seconds of the second and then Chloé Mazaloubeaud swooped to power home Eugénie Le Sommer's free-kick with 15 minutes remaining. Delie almost grabbed a winner in regulation time, hitting the bar with excellent header, but it was Germany that was to prevail. Hartel struck on the break with penalties looming before Kerschowski completed a 4-2 triumph.

Bright start
Germany were typically dominant in the group stages, reaching the last four with a 100 per cent record, yet they showed some early nerves in Reykjavik. Twice in the opening five minutes Charlotte Lozé got the better of Katharina Baunach on the left flank, squeezing the ball through a packed back line first to Delie and then Charlotte Amaury. Neither could properly connect with their attempts but having played their last two group games in torrential downpours France seemed to relish the rare sight on sunshine as they took the game to the holders.

Eight survivors
Amandine Henry was enjoying herself more than most and started to boss the midfield, the industry of Mazaloubeaud allowing her time and space to spread the play. Yet led by one of eight survivors from last year's final, captain Nadine Kessler, Germany came back into it midway through the first period. First Goddard fired into the side-netting after good work from Monique Kerschowski, before Kessler flashed a powerful effort just over the crossbar.

Delie danger
It was a good spell for Maren Meinert's charges but in a game that always ebbed and flowed, France came back into it before half-time. Delie was at the heart of much of their positive play, and it was she who thread a fine ball to Amaury four minutes before the break only for the Tours FC striker to miscontrol as the chance went begging. It summed up a disappointing half for the French, who failed to marry their possession with meaningful opportunities and it became worse on the cusp of half-time when Goddard latched onto a fortuitous deflection to fire Germany ahead.

Comeback
France could have been level within two minutes of the restart, but Delie's shot was well held by Alisa Vetterlein and Stéphane Pilard's team were indebted to a brilliant save from their own keeper soon after to deny Goddard a second after an adroit Kessler lob. Banecki did make it 2-0 midway through the half after being sent clear by Isabel Kerschowski but Delie quickly reduced the arrears, collecting the ball from Henry 18 metres from goal, making room and rifling it high into the top corner. It set up a tense finale but it was to be Germany's day yet again.