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U21s run Romania ragged

September 9, 2014

In a game they didn't need to win, Germany's U21 roared to a comprehensive 8-0 win over Romania in their final 2015 EURO group-stage qualifier. The win saw the youngsters top their qualifying group.

https://p.dw.com/p/1D9Ua
Fußball EM-Qualifikation U-21, Gruppenphase: Deutschland - Rumänien
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Having guaranteed their progression to the playoff stage of the 2015 U21 European Championships by beating Ireland last week, Germany didn't need to win against Romania. However, in the light of a number of absentees, some of Germany's newer youngsters showed their quality in a comprehensive 8-0 win.

With Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Bernd Leno, Antonio Rüdiger, Matthias Ginter, Leonardo Bittencourt and captain Kevin Volland all unavailable/out, coach Horst Hrubesch still had a number of young talents to choose from.

It was clear from the opening minute that Romania were in for a tough day. After fantastic work by Emre Can, Yunus Malli skipped around the goalkeeper to put Germany ahead after only one minute. Then Jonas Hofmann, in the starting line-up after scoring against Ireland, did superbly on the wing and crossed for Philipp Hofmann to convert into an empty net. Four minutes after that, a quick free kick was finished by Amin Younes before Jonas Hofmann poked home from close range after an accurate cross from Malli.

Germany just keep scoring

Joachim Löw's former number two, Hansi Flick, was watching on from the stands as he begins his new position in charge of youth development. He, like Hrubesch, will have been delighted with Germany's tenacity in attack and the power of their transitional play. Romania tried valiantly to get into the game, but Germany remained in control throughout.

Liverpool's Emre Can put in an outstanding performance in midfield, assisting substitute Nico Schulz for a lovely fith goal. Schulz's run then ended in wingback Danny da Costa side-fotting home a sixth. The dominant victory was spoiled somewhat by an injury to Emre Can, who appeared to get his studs caught in the turf as he raced into the box. The former Bayern Munich returned to the field of play as Germany added another two goals. First, substitute Niklas Stark headed in from a free kick, before Jonas Hofmann rifled home another.

Germany topped Group 6 with 20 points and no defeats. The draw for the play-offs will be made in Nyon, Switzerland at 14:00 local time on Friday, September 12th.

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