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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Germany U21 0-2 England U21 | Germany U21 0-2 England U21 |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Substitute Theo Walcott's superb double guided England Under-21s to the European Championship finals. | Substitute Theo Walcott's superb double guided England Under-21s to the European Championship finals. |
| England had been outplayed for most of the game before Walcott twice broke clear to score with exemplary calm. | England had been outplayed for most of the game before Walcott twice broke clear to score with exemplary calm. |
| Both sides finished the game with 10 men, Germany losing Markus Brzenska early in the first-half, with Steven Taylor red-carded just before the hour. | Both sides finished the game with 10 men, Germany losing Markus Brzenska early in the first-half, with Steven Taylor red-carded just before the hour. |
| Gonzalo Castro missed a first-half penalty for Germany, who spurned a number of chances during the match. | Gonzalo Castro missed a first-half penalty for Germany, who spurned a number of chances during the match. |
| Walcott showed no such inhibitions after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 74th minute. | Walcott showed no such inhibitions after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 74th minute. |
| For each goal his speed allowed him to go clear of the German defence, before he finished with incisive shots, his calmness in front of goal reminiscent of Michael Owen. | For each goal his speed allowed him to go clear of the German defence, before he finished with incisive shots, his calmness in front of goal reminiscent of Michael Owen. |
| In a tense encounter, littered with yellow and red cards, England had to ride their luck to reach next summer's finals in Holland. | In a tense encounter, littered with yellow and red cards, England had to ride their luck to reach next summer's finals in Holland. |
| Germany should have pulled level on 22 minutes when they awarded a penalty - referee Jaroslav Jara ruling Taylor had fouled Mario Gomez. | Germany should have pulled level on 22 minutes when they awarded a penalty - referee Jaroslav Jara ruling Taylor had fouled Mario Gomez. |
| But England were reprieved when Castro screwed a right-footed penalty wide. | But England were reprieved when Castro screwed a right-footed penalty wide. |
| In the second half Gomez went close with a flicked header from a corner, while Micah Richards made a miraculous goal-line clearance. | In the second half Gomez went close with a flicked header from a corner, while Micah Richards made a miraculous goal-line clearance. |
| "I knew Theo Walcott had fresh legs and knew he could score. Those were two fantastic goals, and I'm delighted for him and delighted for the team. | |
| "I'm proud of the way they have prepared in the last week. It's been an absolute credit to them." | |