U21 Championship

England U21 3-3 Sweden U21 5-4 on penalties

England Under-21s set up a European Championship final against Germany with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Sweden despite losing a 3-0 half-time lead.

Martin Cranie's strike, a Nedum Onuoha shot and a Mattias Bjarsmyr own goal put England in control at the break. 
A revitalised Sweden forced extra-time after Ola Toivonen's free-kick and two Marcus Berg goals levelled the score. 
Frazier Campbell saw red, but England held on to set up a final with Germany, who beat Italy 1-0 in their semi-final. 
England had fallen at the semi-final stage of this 31-year-old tournament five times, including a 13-12 penalty defeat to the Netherlands two years ago. 
But they were able to put that long-running hoodoo to bed after Guillermo Molin's miss from the penalty spot sealed their win.

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Italy U21 0-1 Germany U21

The Italians dominated the second semi-final in Helsingborg but Beck scored the all-important goal three minutes after half-time when he ran in from the right wing and unleashed a shot which swerved beyond the keeper's grasp. 
Manuel Neuer had been the main reason Italy were not ahead at half-time after making a number of crucial saves. 
The German goalkeeper beat out a shot from Sebastian Giovinco which was going high into the net before knocking a header on to his defender on the line who then cleared. 
Marco Motta hit the crossbar before well-placed defender Mesut Ozil cleared off the line from the near post as Italy dominated with forward Mario Balotelli influential, but the interval arrived goalless. 
The game was then turned on its head in the 48th minute when Beck shocked the Italians with his fantastic strike. 
Balotelli almost equalised minutes later when his powerful free-kick flashed wide and the same player had another effort pushed out by Neuer. 
Marco Andreolli put a header inches wide and Neuer produced an improvised save when he kicked Balotelli's powerful shot away with his right foot.
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U21 Championship

England U21 - Sweden U21

English youngsters came to Sweden with intention to win the championship. They defeated Finland 2-1 and Spain 2-0. In last game played (expected) draw that was enough for the first place. Considering names, England is a favorite today. Pearce has a headache caused by Agbonlahor and Walcott which appearance is in doubt. Odds are rapidly decreasing (?) and from 2.20 came to 1.85.

Before the start, Sweden was outsider. They don't have well-known names in the team, the most of them play in domain competition. But, played excellent against Belarus and especially Serbia. Attacking style of play brought the results and some anonymous players (Marcus Berg) already took attention of some big European clubs. As English have advantage in established players, Swedish have a home ground. They're hosts which also means a little help from "men in black" (penalty-kick vs Serbia). 

I think England is closer to final, but both sides have some problems with defence lines and I choose goals. Bwin offers 2.20. Over.

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Italy U21 - Germany U21

Italy youth are (as always) one of the main candidates for trophy. They have again talented squad, with Pierluigi Casiraghi in charge. Defence line is traditionally tough, while in attack play three, already big names, Balotelli, Acquafresca and Giovinco. They have some problems in midfield with the ball transition and that resulted in less goal opportunities. The only dilemma for Casiraghi is to return Balotelli in squad (served one game suspension), or to start the match with very good Abate, again.

Germany displayed very good performances in the first two games, winning four points, with clean sheet both times. Against England, they took a point for the second place in the group. They're typical German squad, strong, team is well balanced, ready for war all 90 minutes. European press announcing this game as a battle of two defences and expect small number of goals.

I give little advantage to Italy, think they can play tactically on higher level and have killer trio in attack. I rate the chance as 60:40. For me, enough for a bet. Pinnacle offers 2.57. Italy to win. Correct score 1-0.

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Belarus U21 1-2 Italy U21

Italy came from behind to beat Belarus 2-1 in Helsingborg to ensure they finished top of Group A at the European U21 Championships.
Robert Acquafresca, who has been on loan at Cagliari for the past two seasons but who is owned by Internazionale, scored both goals for the Italians to cancel out Sergei Kislyak's opener.
The victory means that Italy avoid England in the semi-finals and will instead play Group B runners-up Germany.
Pierluigi Casiraghi's team were full value for the win but were given a real fright in the 44th minute when completely against the run of play Kislyak cleverly guided in a fine low cross from the impressive Igor Shitov.
However, Italy managed to hit back for the penalty spot before half-time when Mikhail Afanasiev was deemed to have handled in the box.
Acqufresca calmly dispatched the penalty to ensure the sides would be level at the break.
The second-half was exciting fare. With Sweden comfortably beating Serbia in the other group match Italy knew they had to win to top the group.
Similarly, Belarus knew it would be them, and not the Italians, who would play in the semi-finals if they could find a goal as they would have toppled Italy on the head-to-head rule.
Italy always looked the more likely to score though and Juventus prospect Sebastian Giovinco started to exert more influence on proceedings as the match went on.
He was denied twice in the same movement by first Belarus' goalkeeper Pavel Chesnovski and then by a great flying challenge from Shitov when it looked like the pint-sized Italian was going to nod home after Chesnovski initial save saw the ball pop up.
However, 14 minutes from the end Italy did get the key winning goal and it was a superb pass from Giovinco which cut open the Belarus defence.
That allowed lively substitute Antonio Candreva to roll the ball across to Acquafresca and the powerful striker was then allowed to quite literally walk the ball in for his third goal of the tournament.
One blow for the Italians though was a second yellow card for midfielder Claudio Marchisio who will now miss the semi-final but they will have star striker Mario Balotelli back for that match against the Germans.
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