An 84-minute goal gave Germany a significant draw against the Netherlands and Romania were the only winners as the second set of group games of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship began on Saturday.
Germany’s late draw ensures they stay at the top of Group A even though they are level on points with Romania, who ended up hostile to Hungarian hopes. The Spanish keepers are still clear in Group B, where both games ended level to keep the four teams in contention. Groups C and D continue on Sunday.
Latest group position
Saturday
Group A:
Germany 1-1 The Netherlands (Székesfehérvár)
Lukas Nmecha equalized with six minutes left to keep Germany at the top of the group. It looked as if Holland were making an impact when Justin Kluivert fired German goalkeeper Finn Dahmen early in the second period to lead the Dutchman, although Jong Oranje could be ahead. earlier if Dani de Wit had directed his close header into the corner instead of the post. But two minutes after coming forward, Jonathan Burkardt put in some quick work on the right side to set up Nmecha and although Germany could not get the advantage they would have put into the last eight tonight, they are still two points above the Netherlands.
Hungary 1-2 Romania (Budapest)
Romania came from behind for a victory that leaves them behind Germany’s only opponents on goal divergence and an end to Hungary’s hostile intentions. When a fierce clash between these two neighbors saw Hungary, down to ten after the dismissal of Adrián Szőke just before half-time, take a 56-minute lead when András Csonka swept home László Deutsch’s cross. Alexandru Mățan’s stunning strike, stepping inside two defenders before entering the top corner, gave Romania a level, before Mățan played a provider for late-night close winner Alexandru Pașcanu.
Group B:
Spain 0-0 Italy (Maribor)
Spain’s defenders denied early progress with Azzurrini’s side heavily drilled, which barred their opponents to long-term efforts only. Davide Frattesi pushed the cross in the first half after Spain surrendered free possession, and a late bloom of red cards – two for Italy (Nicolò Rovella and Gianluca Scamacca), one for Spain (Oscar Mingueza) – did nothing to help the second team break them. Spain still has two clear points.
Slovenia 1-1 Czech Republic (Celje)
Slovenia’s peers were denied victory by their own late goal after coming so close to a famous win. Beaten on their first final by Spain, Slovenia scored their first goal in the U21 finals on 32 minutes when Aljoša Matko put the ball into the top of the net. That seemed to be enough, until with four minutes left the lucky Nik Prelec went in Dominik Janošek ‘s cross to give the Czech Republic the second draw in the group.
Where can you see the games
Sunday
Group C:
Iceland vs Denmark (Győr, 15:00 CET)
Russia vs. France (Szombathely, 21:00 CET)
Group D:
Croatia vs Switzerland (Koper-Capodistria, 18:00 CET)
Portugal v England (Ljubljana, 21:00 CET)