Germany U21s into semi-finals with draw against Czech Rep

Germany qualified for the European Under-21 semi-finals with a draw against the Czech Republic.

Germany had the better of the first half, but neither side was able to break the deadlock. Germany came closest through Kevin Volland who sent a couple of shots wide, and Amin Younes thundered a shot at Tomas Koubek, only for it to be beaten away.

The Czech Republic were not entirely dominated, though, and Martin Frydrek curled a shot from the edge of the box just wide of the top corner.

In the second half, Tomas Kalas failed to properly clear a low cross from the left wing, and Nico Schulz reacted to volley a low shot past Koubek in goal. Emre Can almost made it two, only for the 'keeper to rush out and block his effort.

Ladislav Krejci equalised with a superb finish at the back post with little under half an hour to play.

Germany slowed the game down with 20 minutes to go, playing for time, and largely killed the match. Philipp Hofmann had a late chance to win it with a diving header, but placed it straight at Koubek.

10' - VOLLAND SHOT - Volland pulls the ball back across the box, it misses Meyer and comes out to Younes from Can. He edges left, into the box, and blasts a rising shot at goal that Koubek does well to beat away.

27' - FRYDEK SHOT - The ball is rolled across the box, and then out on the left, and Frydek tries to curl the ball into the top corner, sending it just wide.

30' - GINTER HEADER - Ginter meets the corner near the penalty spot, and his free header is straight at Koubek.

37' - VOLLAND SHOT - Volland shoots from just inside the box, and drags a shot only a little wide of the near post.

47' - BRABEC HEADER - Brabec glances a corner to the far post, and Korb has to leap to head it off the line.

49' - SKALAK SHOT - Kliment cuts the ball back for Skalak, but he slices a shot just wide of the post.

55' - GOAL! Czech Republic 0-1 Germany. Schulz scores - A low cross from the left flicks into the air, and Schulz reacts first, volleying low past Koubek.

66' - GOAL! Czech Rep 1-1 Germany. Krejci scores - A cross from the right is rolled across the box by Petrak, and Krejci fires a controlled shot into the roof of the net.

Germany were undefeated in Group A

Germany and Czech Republic both won the same number of games, but the Czechs failed to progress.

Germany have won just one of their last six games.

Germany will need to improve on this performance to win the Championship. They held on against the Czechs, but they still were vulnerable on the wings, and relatively toothless in attack. They displayed little dangerous pace, and need to find far more cohesiveness to stand a chance of getting past the semi-finals.

Ondrej Petrak (Czech Rep): None of the players played exceptionally well, but Petrak led the resurgence for the home side in the second half. His industry and direct attack from midfield was at the heart of most good Czech moves, but it came too late.

Germany: Ter Stegen 6, Korb 6, Ginter 6, Heintz 6, Gunter 6, Can 6, Kimmich 6, Younes 6, Meyer 5, Schulz 6, Volland 6. Subs: Bittencourt 6, Malli 6, Schulz 6.

Czech Republic: Koubek 6, Kaderabek 6, Brabec 6, Kalas 5, Hybs 5, Petrak 7, Zmrhal 5, Skalak 5, Travnik 5, Frydek 6, Kliment 6. Subs: Krejci 6, Masopust 6, Prikryl 6.