Euro semi-finals confirmed – Germany secures final spot

The European Under-21 Championship has already advanced to the semi-finals.

The journey of the little owls in the Slovak European Championship ended after the first group stage.

The quarterfinals were played on Midsummer’s Eve, in which the next four teams were eliminated from the playoffs.

The semi-finals are already waiting on Wednesday, where England and the Netherlands, as well as France and Germany, will meet.

The white-shirted Germany became the last team to secure a place in the semi-finals. They gained an advantage in their quarter-final on Sunday when Italy’s Wilfried Gnonto picked up a second yellow card and an early shower order.

The score was tied at 1–1 at that point, and Germany almost immediately took advantage of their man advantage. Substitute Nelson Weiper produced a stunning volley in the 87th minute that looked like it would be enough to secure a place in the top four.

The Italians’ tape didn’t last. Mattia Zanotti also earned himself a red card and Italy played the final minutes with no less than two men.

The Azzurrini, however, did not give in. Giuseppe Ambrosino equalized the quarter-final in added time. The Napoli-born player’s free kick curled beautifully into the top corner, forcing the match into 30 minutes of extra time.

Naturally, because Germany constantly had two more men on the field, extra time was practically only played in the Italian defensive zone.

The blue shirts’ goal was to hold out until the penalty shootout. However, that didn’t work, as Germany broke the deadlock in the 117th minute.

Merlin Röhl fired the 3-2 winner into the top corner from 20 meters, securing Germany’s place in Wednesday’s semi-final against France.