Germany will play Portugal in the semi-finals of the U21 EUROs in the Czech Republic. Rui Jorge’s side secured top spot in the group with a 1-1 draw against Sweden on Wednesday and will now face the DFB-Team in Olmütz on Saturday (18:00 CEST) for a place in the final. Denmark and Sweden will meet in the other semi-final.
“Congratulations to Portugal and Sweden for making it to the semi-finals,” said Horst Hrubesch. “Both groups had quality in them. I’m expecting some thrilling semis. We’re going into the Portugal game highly motivated.”
Pre-tournament favourites Italy and England are surprisingly on their way home. Italy beat England 3-1 in Olmütz but still failed to qualify because of their inferior head-to-head record against Sweden.
Only two goals for Portugal
Both Sweden and Portugal have now secured their place at the Olympic Games too. FC Porto’s Gonçalo Paciencia put the Portuguese into the lead in the 82nd minute, before substitute Simon Tibbling of FC Groningen fired the Swedes into the semi-finals in the 89th minute.
Portugal have pulled off quite a feat by qualifying after scoring only two goals in the group stage. The Germany U21s last played their Portuguese counterparts in May 2011, with the Andalusians winning 4-2 on that occasion in Portimão. The teams have met twice before in the European Championship knock-out stages, and Portugal have the upper hand so far, winning 2-1 in Mainz (2004) and 1-0 in Portugal (2006).
Andrea Belotti and Marco Benassi scored Italy’s goals in front of 11,563 spectators, but they were all in vain.
Germany will play Portugal in the semi-finals of the U21 EUROs in the Czech Republic. Rui Jorge’s side secured top spot in the group with a 1-1 draw against Sweden on Wednesday and will now face the DFB-Team in Olmütz on Saturday (18:00 CEST) for a place in the final. Denmark and Sweden will meet in the other semi-final.
“Congratulations to Portugal and Sweden for making it to the semi-finals,” said Horst Hrubesch. “Both groups had quality in them. I’m expecting some thrilling semis. We’re going into the Portugal game highly motivated.”
Pre-tournament favourites Italy and England are surprisingly on their way home. Italy beat England 3-1 in Olmütz but still failed to qualify because of their inferior head-to-head record against Sweden.
Only two goals for Portugal
Both Sweden and Portugal have now secured their place at the Olympic Games too. FC Porto’s Gonçalo Paciencia put the Portuguese into the lead in the 82nd minute, before substitute Simon Tibbling of FC Groningen fired the Swedes into the semi-finals in the 89th minute.
Portugal have pulled off quite a feat by qualifying after scoring only two goals in the group stage. The Germany U21s last played their Portuguese counterparts in May 2011, with the Andalusians winning 4-2 on that occasion in Portimão. The teams have met twice before in the European Championship knock-out stages, and Portugal have the upper hand so far, winning 2-1 in Mainz (2004) and 1-0 in Portugal (2006).
Andrea Belotti and Marco Benassi scored Italy’s goals in front of 11,563 spectators, but they were all in vain.
