The DFB Team will have to wait a little longer to lift a fifth U19 European Championship title. Maren Meinert's team lost to Sweden on penalties after a thrilling semi-final.
“Of course it is a shame that we conceded so late on, especially as it came unlucky that we conceded a goal towards the end of the match considering that it came against the run of play. Having said that, we never really got to grips with Stina Blackstenius,” said Meinert after the match. “In the second half we showed great character and put in a great performance in extra time. We gave everything and will have learned a lot from this experience.”
The match got off to a cracking start with Germany nearly finding the net in the first minute. Laura Freigang's cross found Nina Ehegötz but her header flashed wide of the post. 11 minutes later they took the lead though - a Jenny Gaugigl free kick was headed home by Rebecca Knaak to give Germany a 1-0 lead.
Sweden hit two before the break
After a slow start, Sweden responded and gained control of the match. Tove Almqvist got the equaliser with an effort from the edge of the box in the 21st minut. Calle Barling's team started to play with purpose and in the 31st minute Stina Blackstenius nearly gave Sweden the lead but keeper Lena Pauels stood firm, however, she did put her side in front shortly before the interval.
Both teams got off to a slow start in the second half and it was the DFB Team who grabbed the first goal of the half. Nina Ehegötz fired home via the crossbar to make it 2-2 shortly before the hour mark.
Gier gives hope, but Blackstenius scores at the death
Germany pressed for a winner and they could have gone back in front in the 65th minute but Gier's effort flew past the post. Lea Schüller came on in the 77th minute and she provided an instant impact. Her cross was tucked home by Gier to give the DFB Team a 3-2 lead with just 12 minutes to play.
The drama was far from over though. The Swedes levelled things up with just seconds to play when Blackstenius converted after Pauels had fumbled a cross. The keeper prevented the strikjer from grabbing a hat-trick in injury time with a spectacular save.
Gier and Rauch miss from the spot
There weren't many chances in the first half of extra time but in the 105th minute captain Rebecca Knnak poked one past Sweden keeper Emma Holmgren; Lotta Ökvist cleared it off the line. Blackstenius was kept quiet throughout extra time but did have a chance early on in the second half but could not get her shot on target.
The match went to penalties where Gier and Felicitas Rauch saw their shots saved by keeper Holmgren.
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The DFB Team will have to wait a little longer to lift a fifth U19 European Championship title. Maren Meinert's team lost to Sweden on penalties after a thrilling semi-final.
“Of course it is a shame that we conceded so late on, especially as it came unlucky that we conceded a goal towards the end of the match considering that it came against the run of play. Having said that, we never really got to grips with Stina Blackstenius,” said Meinert after the match. “In the second half we showed great character and put in a great performance in extra time. We gave everything and will have learned a lot from this experience.”
The match got off to a cracking start with Germany nearly finding the net in the first minute. Laura Freigang's cross found Nina Ehegötz but her header flashed wide of the post. 11 minutes later they took the lead though - a Jenny Gaugigl free kick was headed home by Rebecca Knaak to give Germany a 1-0 lead.
Sweden hit two before the break
After a slow start, Sweden responded and gained control of the match. Tove Almqvist got the equaliser with an effort from the edge of the box in the 21st minut. Calle Barling's team started to play with purpose and in the 31st minute Stina Blackstenius nearly gave Sweden the lead but keeper Lena Pauels stood firm, however, she did put her side in front shortly before the interval.
Both teams got off to a slow start in the second half and it was the DFB Team who grabbed the first goal of the half. Nina Ehegötz fired home via the crossbar to make it 2-2 shortly before the hour mark.
Gier gives hope, but Blackstenius scores at the death
Germany pressed for a winner and they could have gone back in front in the 65th minute but Gier's effort flew past the post. Lea Schüller came on in the 77th minute and she provided an instant impact. Her cross was tucked home by Gier to give the DFB Team a 3-2 lead with just 12 minutes to play.
The drama was far from over though. The Swedes levelled things up with just seconds to play when Blackstenius converted after Pauels had fumbled a cross. The keeper prevented the strikjer from grabbing a hat-trick in injury time with a spectacular save.
Gier and Rauch miss from the spot
There weren't many chances in the first half of extra time but in the 105th minute captain Rebecca Knnak poked one past Sweden keeper Emma Holmgren; Lotta Ökvist cleared it off the line. Blackstenius was kept quiet throughout extra time but did have a chance early on in the second half but could not get her shot on target.
The match went to penalties where Gier and Felicitas Rauch saw their shots saved by keeper Holmgren.
