Ruthless Germany charge into last four

The holders Germany booked their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship in comprehensive fashion in Amboise, putting seven unanswered goals past Scotland to seal first place in Group B ahead of Sweden.

Half-time advantage
Maren Meinert's side raced into a five-goal lead by half-time thanks to two goals from Lisa Schwab either side of strikes from Kim Kulig, Marie Pollmann and Stefanie Mirlach. And although Germany eased up after the restart, they still added two more to their tally through Marina Hegering and Selina Wagner to set up a semi-final date with Norway on Wednesday.

Scotland chance
Germany may have looked the more determined side in the opening exchanges, but it was Scotland who could have taken an early lead when Desiree Schumann's brilliant save denied Christie Murray's close-range effort. That was about as good as it got for the Scots, though, as Germany took the lead on ten minutes as Schwab received possession on the left, moved into the penalty area and finished clinically from ten metres.

Potent Pollmann
The second arrived eight minutes later when Kulig lofted the ball over Scotland goalkeeper Khym Ramsay. The German attack was purring and Jennifer Beattie then cleared a Schwab header off the line to spare Scotland from further woe. The half-hour mark had just passed when Pollmann scored her fourth goal of the tournament, clipping in an easy third following a pin-point pass from Verena Faisst. Five minutes later a Simic free-kick found Stefanie Mirlach at the far post and the lead was extended further.

Schwab double
Scotland valiantly tried to fight back but Rachel Corsie's shot from the left side of the penalty area rattled the crossbar. The relief was only temporary, however, as the impressive Schwab started and finished a move involving Pollmann and Simic to claim her second of the game in added time at the end of the half. Hegering made it 6-0 two minutes into the second period after a Simic corner and substitute Wagner completed the scoring on 64. Kim Little went close to grabbing a consolation when she shot over in the dying minutes, while Rachel Schumann thwarted Corsie's late effort as Scotland's campaign ended on a low note. Germany, though, are only looking forward.