England and Germany reach Euro under-21 final
26 Jun 2009 - 21:20:00
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.
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.
Beck blasted a shot past Italian keeper Andrea Consigli from 30 metres three minutes into the second half.
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.
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.
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.
(Reporting by Oliver Grassman, editing by Neil Maidment)
