Germany outlasts plucky England on penalties to book final berth
Tournament favourite Germany is off to the 2017 European Under-21 Championship final after coming from behind to beat England on penalties on Tuesday in Poland.
In arguably the competition's best match, Germany showed resilience in fighting back from a one-goal deficit when second-half sub Felix Platte's header levelled matters at 2-2 with 20 minutes from time before 'keeper Julian Pollersbeck saved the decisive penalty.
England will rue the opportunities it missed early in the match after both Will Hughes and Tammy Abraham had legitimate penalty calls denied before Davie Selke's header handed Germany a 35th-minute advantage. Demarai Gray levelled for the Young Lions minutes before the interval, and Tammy Abraham made it 2-1 with his first of the tournament five minutes after the break.
A momentary lapse of judgment from Arsenal centre-half Calum Chambers gifted Platte with the equalizer before fatigue took control of a match not short on attacking impetus.
Germany was by some margin the better side through the second half and extra-time as England shot-stopper Jordan Pickford showed glimpses of brilliance.
Knotted at 3-3 in penalties while England supporters had flashbacks of the numerous spot-kick failings that have come to define the Three Lions in major tournaments, Southampton's Nathan Redmond stepped up, and the only player in Poland to have appeared in three Under-21 tourneys was denied by Pollersbeck.
Deja Vu all over again for England as Germany awaits the winner of the Italy-Spain semi-final later Tuesday.