Bitter EM-out for Germany’s football juniors: The team defies personnel problems in the semi-finals. In a turbulent and dramatic semi -finals, it is still not enough for the final against the defending champion.
Despite three leadership, the German U19 soccer players played their way into the final of the European Championship in Romania. Without the yellow-locked coach Hanno Balitsch on the sidelines, the selection of the German Football Association lost the turbulent semi-finals in Bucharest against defending champion Spain 5: 6 (3: 3, 1: 0) after extra time.
Three goals were scored in added time alone. Four-time scorer Pablo Garcia destroyed the dream of the Germans from the fourth EM title after 1981, 2008 and 2014 with his goal in the 119th minute.
Max Moerstedt (28th minute) brought the DFB team 1-0 in the lead. Garcia (61.) equalized for Spain with a dream goal. In the 35th minute, Konstantin Heide had held a penalty of the defending champion. Said El Mala (78th) achieved the renewed lead with his fourth tournament gate before Garcia (90.+1, 90.+5) turned the game for Spain again. An own goal of Andres Cuenca (90.+9) saved the DFB selection into the extension. In the extra time, alongside Garcia for Spain Tomas Marques (97th) and Jan Virgili (113.) and two more Moerstedt (104th, 107th) met.
Goalkeeper Heide is duped
The opponent of the Spanish team in the final on Thursday (8 p.m.) The winner of the second semi -finals between the Netherlands and hosts Romania will be again in Bucharest.
Trainer Balitsch only looked from the stands in the Arcul de TriUmf stadium due to a yellow lock. In addition to the ex-professional, the German team also lacked the injured Elias Decker, Charles Herrmann and captain Noah Darvich as well as the yellow-locked Kjell Wätjen. Nevertheless, the junior selection not only offered a committed, but also a highly concentrated performance and let the playful Spaniards to develop little in phases.
DPA/MEL
