Germany drew 1-1 with Czech Republic on Tuesday evening at Eden Stadium in their European Under-21 Championship meeting in a result that sees the hosts go out while the Germans progress from Group A as runners-up.
The first half was largely disappointing with little action of note before Niko Schulz put Germany into the lead early in the second only for Ladislav Krejci to equalise but the Czechs couldn’t find the winner they needed at home.
The game then settled into a depressed rhythm as the Germans early supremacy faded, the Czech Republic had a good chance to open the scoring in the 27th minute as the ball rolled enticingly along the edge of the area but Martin Frydek dragged his first-time shot wide.
Niko Schulz added some energy to the drab affair in the 41st minute with a bursting run into the area before scuffing his shot low into the reach of the Czech goalkeeper and the sides went into the break goalless.
The Czechs came out strong at the start of the second half and Jakub Brabec beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a header but Schulz was there to clear the ball off the line.
The hosts came close again in the 49th minute after some good work down the left wing before a cross was fired in low to Jiri Salak but he squandered the chance by missing the target.
Germany took the lead in the 54th minute via Schulz after Tomas Kalas skied a clearance and the Hertha Berlin man was there to get to the ball first and finish on the volley across Tomas Koubek who got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.
The Czechs equalised in brilliant fashion in the 66th minute when Ladislav Krejci directed a first time strike on the bounce into the net after some fantastic work by Ondrej Petrak down the right wing to set up the goal.
The hosts pressed desperately for the remainder of the game but weren’t able to find the goal they needed and Germany hung on for a draw that sees them proceed to the knockout stage.
