Germany thwarted a luckless Serbian side at the Loughborough University Stadium, as Bozdogan (18) and Dajaku’s (24, 37) first half strikes resigned Serbia to a bottom half finish in Group D and an early crash out of the tournament.
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After a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Burton, a point was vital for the Eagles, but Germany’s relentless attacking front proved deadly in the first half, where Slavkovic conceded 3 goals in 20 minutes behind a weak defensive back line, despite a resurgent Serbian side in the latter part of the second half. The German 4-1-4-1 formation proved difficult to break down, with number 9 Dajaku shining as a certain man of the match, and as a promising talent for the future.
Serbia mounted a fantastic save out of German ‘keeper Unbehaun late on in the second half with Dejan Zukić’s free kick seeming destined for the top left of the goal. However, it wasn’t enough and a largely entertaining first half was followed by a slower second (ensured by a stoic German defence), most likely due to the scorching heat of the Summer sun down at Holywell. Despite this, the second half ensured Germany their first points of the tournament, with the promising side looking to their next challenge at Walsall on Friday.
Team Lineups
[columns ]
[column size=”1/2″]
Serbia
1 Slavkovic (GK)
2 Radmanovac
4 Belić
5 Balaž
6 Eraković (C)
7 Dedijer
14 Mitrović
15 Novaković
17 Kupusović
18 Đermanović
19 Zukić[/column]
[column size=”1/2″]
Germany
1 Unbehaun (GK)
3 Katterbach
4 Aidonis
5 Bukusu
8 Papela (C)
9 Dajaku (24′ 37′)
11 Batista Meier
16 Bozdogan (18′)
17 Hartmann
18 Brandt
22 Borges[/column][/columns]
Group D Current Standings
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Against | GD | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Germany | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Spain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Serbia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
Elsewhere in Group D, at the 19:00 kickoff the Netherlands beat Spain 2-0 in Burton with an early goal from Redan, and a Tenas own Goal on the 74th minute mark, meaning that with one game left to play, the top 3 are all capable of the knockout stage, although the Netherlands’ tournament is guaranteed to continue.
Serbia will return to Loughborough University to face the Netherlands on Friday 11th, while a huge clash between Germany and Spain is sure to attract huge crowds in Walsall on the same day – a thrilling conclusion to the group stages.
Upcoming LSUTV Coverage of the UEFA U17 European Chanpionship:
10th May 13:00 KO: Norway v Slovenia
Already eliminated Slovenia will look to knock Norway’s competition chances with a win on Thursday, with Norway needing a win to guarantee their place in the knockout rounds in a decisive game in group B.
11th May 19:00 KO: Netherlands v Serbia
Sitting in First Place, the Netherlands have already qualified through Group D but will be looking to consolidate first place and ensure a favourable seeding through competition top-scorer Daishawn Redan, while Serbia will be playing only for pride at the bottom of the table in what is sure to be an entertaining fixture.
