Russia rumble dominant Germany
Germany u17 0-1 Russia u17
May 11 2006
By Andrew Haigh, Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg
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Russia completed a glorious night for the underdogs
when they pulled off a sensational 1-0 victory over Germany.
The single goal, scored by Alexander Prudnikov late in the second half, was the first the Germans had conceded
in the competition but ultimately sent them crashing out of the Championships.
The victory was a perfect present for injured centre-back Anton Vlasov who had had been ruled out of the competition
when he suffered a torn hamstring against Spain.
Russia's captain Vadim Gagloev said after the match: "We all wish him a happy birthday, this is for him."
The game never really got going in the opening minutes with neither team really forcing the agenda, as they were
limited to a set-piece each.
With just two minutes on the clock, Germany won a free kick. Toni Kroos floated the ball to back post only for
Evgeny Pomazan to tip the ball wide for a corner.
But Russia fought back and after a good interchange between Igor Gorbatenko and Dmitry Ryzhov, they won a corner,
but despite a good delivery, they could not force an opener.
On ten minutes, the game flew into life, another break down the right from Ryzhov eventually found Roman Amirhanov
who crossed for Evgeny Korataev.
The forward was denied by the onrushing Ron-Robert Zieler who spread himself well to block the shot from five yards.
30 seconds later, at the other end, Marko Marin was causing problems on the left. When he cut inside and received
a knock-down from Manuel Fisher, he blazed over the bar when really he should have hit the target.
On 19 minutes, Fischer had an opportunity himself. He broke through the Russian defence but under pressure from
man-marking Yan Borovskiy, his left-footed attempt went wide of the left post.
Four minutes later, Kroos struck a speculative effort from 35 yards and as it dipped Pomazan struggled but managed
to tip the ball over with a diving save.
Germany continued to press and Kroos again threatened. His weak shot, although deflected wide, forced a corner,
which was wasted when played short.
Playing at the stadium where they had confirmed their qualification for the semi-finals and in front of a crowd
dominated by Germans, they looked at home and constantly pegged back Russia, who had little attacking opportunities.
On half an hour Fischer, who was a threat with strong running off the ball, found space from a Mario Vrancic corner.
His header, the best chance to take the lead so far, was high over the bar.
Three minutes later, yet another German corner had the same result with Fischer again missing the target.
Germany were completely on top but their star striker, Fischer, was been marked out of the game by the disciplined
Borovskiy and he became increasingly frustrated at the lack of opportunities.
Despite the game's one-sided look, it would have been silly to rule out a Russian victory at the break; after all
they had beaten Hungary with a last minute winner in their first match of the finals.
Russia coach Igor Kolyvanov, made an effort to change the flow of the match with a half time substitution bringing
on Pavel Mochalin for Amir Kashiev.
The change made little difference as Germany continued their domination of the match. But as in the first period,
the Russian defence was incredibly resolute snubbing out chances before they became threatening. With Borovskiy
continuing his man-marking duties in an equally effective way it seem it would take something special to break
the deadlock.
Lars Bender struck a 25-yard volley as the ball was cleared from a corner but Pomazan was up the challenge as he
tipped over on 46 minutes.
Even when Fischer lost Borovskiy from a corner and found himself free at the back post, Russia's last line of defence
in Pomazan was equal to the Stuttgart striker's header.
Sergey Morozov was also a rock at the heart of the Russian's defence and cut out a number of dangerous through
balls with confidence.
On 60 minutes, Kolyvanov made another change bringing on striker Prudnikov for Korataev.
And his change this time paid off when, ten minutes later, against the run of play Prudinkov gave the Russians
the lead.
Ryzhov, who despite lacking in natural pace, beat German captain and right-back Bjorn Kopplin, on the wing crossed
for Prudnikov who had managed to get in front his marker.
His simple finish into the bottom right was well taken, if not deserved.
It was clear it was not to be the German's night when 72 minute substitute Sebastian Huke missed a golden opportunity.
A German shot from the edge of the box on 76 minutes fell to Huke who, six yards from goal, with the keeper stranded,
managed to put the ball wide of the left upright.
In a frantic three minutes of injury time, Evgeny Pomazan almost made the biggest error of his short career when
from a Toni Kroos free kick he went to punch the ball only to mis-hit the ball behind for a corner.
But the final whistle went to end the German's hopes of lifting the title.
Attendance: 1250
Attendance:
Teams:
Germany: Ron Robert Zieler, Bjorn Kopplin, David Vrzogic, Christopher Schorch, Florian Jungwirth (Raphael Lorenz,
75), Sven Bender (Sebastian Huke, 72), Marko Marin, Lars Bender, Manuel Fisher, Toni Kroos, Mario Vrancic (Timo
Gebhart, 61)
Subs: Sascha Burchert, Danny Latza, Stefan Reinartz, Mattias Wittek,
Russia: Evgeny Pomazan, Sergey Morozov, Artem Samsonov, Vadim Gagloev(C), Evgeny Korotaev (Alexander Prudnikov,
60), Semen Fomin, Igor Gorbatenko, Yan Bobrovskiy, Dmitry Ryzhov (Denis Shcherbak, 73), Roman Amirhanov, Amir Kashiev
(Pavel Mochalin, 40).
Subs: Roman Savenkov, Alexander Sapeta, Alexandr Marenich, |
