England and Germany reach Euro under-21 final

26 June 2009 21:20
England survived a thrilling Sweden fightback to reach the final of the European under-21 championship, beating the hosts 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw on Friday.[LNB] Germany also advanced to Monday's final in Malmo after right back Andreas Beck's long-range strike earned a 1-0 win over Italy.[LNB] Beck blasted a shot past Italian keeper Andrea Consigli from 30 metres three minutes into the second half.[LNB] England led Sweden 3-0 at halftime thanks to defenders Martin Cranie and Nedum Onuoha and a Mattias Bjarsmyr own goal, before a Marcus Berg double either side of Ola Toivonen's free kick forced extra time.[LNB] Sweden hit the bar in extra time after England striker Fraizer Campbell was sent off but went out on penalties when Guillermo Molins hit the post in the shootout.[LNB] Germany's Ashkan Dejagah is out of the final after being booked on Friday while England will be without suspended goalkeeper Joe Hart and strikers Campbell and Gabriel Agbonlahor.[LNB] (Reporting by Oliver Grassman, editing by Neil Maidment)

Source: Eurosport