In the true spirit of England versus Germany clashes, this UEFA European Under-16 Championship quarter-final, played in front of a noisy crowd of more than 4,000 at Middlesbrough FC’s BT Cellnet Riverside stadium, went to penalties before the hosts claimed their place in the semi-finals.
Extremely competitive
The game itself was an extremely competitive affair with several good chances falling to both sides in the first half, which nevertheless remained goalless. However England broke the deadlock in the 66th minute when Millwall FCF striker Cherno Samba deflected a Justin Hoyte shot past Germany goalkeeper René Adler after Ciaran Donnelly had hit the post.
Gilt-edged chance
Germany immediately hit back though, with a well taken goal from substitute Alexander Laas of Hamburger SV. England squandered a gilt-edged chance in the last minute through Glen Johnson when he headed wide and the game ended level.
Tense affair
As ever the penalty shoot-out was a tense affair, but for once England were too strong mentally for the Germans, scoring all five penalties while Germany missed their opening kick. Hoyte scored the final penalty to claim victory and send the crowd into raptures.
