Finland crash out at hands of Germany

Germany 2-0 Finland
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Finals
Halmstad, Sweden

Germany warmed up for their crucial Group B clash against England with a fortunate victory over minnows Finland.

Despite being completely outplayed in the first-half, Horst Hrubesch’s side emerged a different proposition after the break and soon put Finland to the sword.

Benedikt Howedes and Ashkan Dejagah did the damage as the Finns capitulated following an impressive first-half showing.

Despite losing their opening game to England, Finland appeared full of confidence and caused their opponents plenty of problems in the first 45 minutes.

The dangerous Berat Sadik looked lively in attack for the Finns, while Germany keeper Manuel Neuer produced a sharp save to deny Jukka Raitala’s fierce volley.

But Finland’s failure to make their dominance pay was to cost them dear as Germany roared back to clinch all three points.

With the game approaching the hour mark, Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil curled in a delightful free-kick for Howedes to power a header past Anssi Jaakkola from close-range.

That goal came against the run of play and with Finland still reeling from the shock of conceding, Germany inflicted yet another blow on Markku Kanerva’s side.

A lightning-quick counter attack allowed Sami Kheidra to pick out Ozil in space and the playmaker side-stepped the challenge of keeper Jaakkola before crossing for Dejagah to tap home.

Teemu Pukki and Perparim Hetemaj both forced Neuer into saves late on as Finland tried to rally, while Gonzalo Castro came close to adding a third following neat work by Ozil.

However, Germany held out comfortably for the points and will now go into Monday's clash with Stuart Pearce’s young Lions in confident mood.