Sweden hit back to deny Germany

Sweden held fancied Germany to a draw in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire to leave both sides in a strong position to reach the last four of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship.

Swift reply
Holders Germany took the lead after 25 minutes thanks to Marie Pollmann's third goal in two Group B outings, only for Sweden's Sofia Jakobsson to respond six minutes later. Both sides have four points going into Sunday's deciders - the Scandinavians meet England as Germany face eliminated Scotland - when they need just avoid defeat to advance to the semi-finals.

German control
Germany dominated the early stages and almost caught their opponents cold during the opening 60 seconds when a pass from Martina Hegering found Pollmann who fired narrowly over the crossbar. Maren Meinert's charges continued to set the pace in an entertaining game, Kim Kulig's shot from the edge of the penalty area fizzed narrowly wide while Marina Hegering and Jessica Wich were thwarted by Sweden goalkeeper Nina Fellbrant. It was not until just after the quarter-hour mark that Sweden created their first chance, Emilia Appelquist shooting over from distance.

Deadlock broken
However, Germany were soon in front thanks to a lovely piece of individual skill from Pollmann, who dribbled around Fellbrant and slotted into the ball into an empty net on 25 minutes after being found by Francesca Weber. Meinert's side squandered swift opportunities to double their lead, and were made to pay as Sweden equalised on 31 minutes. Julia Lyckberg found Jakobsson from midfield, and the pacy striker converted clinically from 12 metres. Moments later, Fellbrant kept Sweden on level terms, denying Pollmann who had raced on to a ball from Julia Šimic. Germany goalkeeper Desiree Schumann then showed her agility by saving from Louise Fors.

Pollman endeavour
Both teams tried to up the tempo after the restart though Germany still looked the more convincing. Pollmann was again in the thick of the action when she fired over, while Sweden almost took the lead when a Jakobsson free-kick found Anna Lindblom who was denied by a tremendous Schumann save. Pollmann then hit the bar from close range after a Kulig cross from the right, and although Germany pushed more players forward in the dying minutes they could not break through the Swedish rearguard for a second time.