Hanke and co. go through!

The German under-21s reached the EURO 2006 finals on Tuesday evening (15.11.05), as they beat the Czech Republic 1-0 in front of 15,300 in the BayArena in Leverkusen, to go through 3-0 on aggregate. The goal of the day was scored by Hertha’s Angolan-born striker Nando Rafael on 66 minutes. The victory means that the under-21s under their coach Dieter Eilts, are now unbeaten in 14 games. Thge Germans are the first side to qualify for the finals next year. The venue for the finals will be decided soon after it becomes clear which teams have qualified.

Eilts makes solitary change

After the 2-0 first leg victory, Eilts made only one change to his starting line-up. Dortmund’s David Odonkor made room for HSV’s Piotr Trochowski, in an effort to improve the service to the German forward line, which consisted of Kießling, Rafael and Hanke. The Czech coach Ladislav Skorpil made three changes to his first leg side. Klein and Knakal came in for the suspended Kaufman and Latka in defence, while Limbersky replaced Petrzela in midfield.

Early chances

The game began in pouring rain and the visitors had the better start. The Germany was trying to find its feet defensively as the Czechs created two early chances. Sverkos lobbed over the German keeper Rensing, but also over the bar on 8 minutes. Three minutes later, Klein should have done better as he blasted over from close range. It took the home side 15 minutes to find their way into the match. Good combination work involving Hanke and Volz resulted in a chance for Trochowski. The Czech keeper Grigar was up to the challenge, saving well from the HSV midfielder. Germans hearts were in mouths after 35 minutes as a defensive mistake saw Trojan feed Sverkos, who ran to face Rensing alone. The striker showed the keeper too much of the ball and he cleared his lines easily, the game was goalless at half time.

Hanke goes close

Both sides emerged from the half time break unchanged. Despite having to score at least two goals to qualify, the visitors stuck with their defensive approach. Nothing much happened at the start of the second half but on 57 minutes, Grigar did well to turn a Kießling shot around a post. On 61 minutes the Wolfsburg striker Mike Hanke blasted over from the edge of the box as it looked easier to score. Three minutes later, Trochowski played Kießling in with a superb pass, but the Nürnberg striker could only push his effort past the left hand upright.

Rafael opens the scoring

On 66 minutes the Germans took the lead as Lehmann blasted in a long range shot following a corner. Keeper Grigar could only parry, and Hertha’s Nando Rafael scored easily from close range. Germany began to combine better with the three goal cushion at their backs, although it must be said without creating much goalmouth action.

Hanke misses sitter

Hanke missed the chance of the game on 83 minutes as great approach work by Riether and Volz set the former striker up in front of goal. Once again Hanke was unable to take advantage and putt he ball onto the crossbar with only an open goal to beat. Germany are the first side to qualify for the EURO 2006 finals, so it is congratulations to Dieter Eilts and his squad.

Match details:

Germany:  Rensing - Volz, Matip, C. Schulz, Fathi - Riether, Matth. Lehmann - Trochowski, Kießling, Rafael - Hanke 

Czech Republic:  Grigar - Klein, Knakal, R. Hubnik, Kadlec - Husek, Limbersky, Jirsak, Trojan - Fort, Sverkos 

Goals:   1:0 Rafael (66.) 

Referee:  Halsey

Attendance:  15,300

Yellow cards:  Knakal