U21 European Championships 2015: Semi-Final Schedule After Last Group Results
The drama of tournament football was bristling right up until the dying embers of the group stages in the U21 European Championships, paving the way for a pair of fascinating last-four encounters.
Denmark will meet Sweden after the latter nabbed a late goal to secure their place in the semi-finals, while the second clash will see Germany and Portugal—on paper, the two most talented sides in the competition—battling it out for a place in the Prague showpiece on June 30.
Here’s a reminder of the results from the final round of group fixtures and a look forward at a pair of tantalising fixtures to come.
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| Germany 1-1 Czech Republic | Italy 3-1 England |
| Denmark 2-0 Serbia | Sweden 1-1 Portugal |
| Portugal vs. Germany | Saturday, June 27 | 5 p.m. | Olomouc |
| Denmark vs. Sweden | Saturday, June 27 | 8 p.m. | Prague |
Denmark vs. Sweden
This all-Scandinavian showdown is the less glamorous of the two semi-final ties, but it’s always a pulsating occasion whenever Denmark and Sweden square off.
The former have been mightily impressive in two of their three games to date. Coach Jess Thorup’s side were given something of a scare in their opener against tournament hosts Czech Republic but recovered superbly to win that game. Although Germany beat them heavily, a comfortable win over Serbia secured their spot in the knockout stages.
Denmark’s most dangerous player has been Ajax winger Viktor Fischer. He’s posed a menacing presence stationed out on the flanks, and as we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, he is in prolific goalscoring form too:
There are other major talents in this team, though. Bayern Munich’s Pierre Hojbjerg keeps things ticking over in the middle of the park, Jannik Vestergaard is an aerial monster at the back and Yussuf Poulsen’s intricate dribbling has caused problems aplenty for opponents.
Sweden are determined opposition, however, as was evident as they snatched a late goal against Portugal to grab a valuable point, staving off impending elimination in the process. It was a strike that came courtesy of Simon Tibbling, as we can see here courtesy of Football Tribes:
While they don’t have the talent to match Denmark in terms of flair, the squad assembled by Hakan Ericson is resolute, as has been obvious with the aforementioned late goal and Isaac Kiese Thelin's 86th-minute winner against Italy earlier on in the tournament.
The Swedes are likely to make things tough for Denmark and will ensure they stay in the game throughout. But at this stage of a tournament that extra bit of stardust really counts, and in Fischer, Poulsen and Hojbjerg, the Danes possess the players who can turn the game with a moment of untamed ingenuity.
Prediction: Denmark 2-1 Sweden
Germany vs. Portugal
They may have been inconsistent at times, but Germany and Portugal, when playing at their peak, are the best nations in this U21 European Championships. In some respects, it’s a shame that this clash is not the final.
It's not because Germany stumbled to two draws against Serbia and the Czech Republic in the group stages, subsequently finishing in second place behind the Danes.
As noted by Bleacher Report German football expert Stefan Bienkowski, there were some hairy moments for manager Horst Hrubesch’s side in the group stages:
But when Hrubesch’s team turned on the style against Denmark in an emphatic 3-0 victory, there was something ominous about this revered crop of young players, even if there are some chinks in the armour.
Indeed, if any side are capable of exposing these flaws, it’s Portugal. Like Germany, the Selecao have only played at their peak in bursts. But if coach Rui Jorge’s players can align everything for the semi-final against the pre-tournament favourites, they definitely have enough to progress to the final.
Some of the probing attacking play from Portugal has been tremendous, especially attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva. The Monaco man has dazzled in a roaming role up to now, but worryingly for Jorge, his players haven’t taken full advantage of his wonderful creative skills.
Football journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor had high praise for the Monaco star:
It’s imperative Portugal show more ruthlessness in front of goal against Germany. Hrubesch’s side may not have carved out as many opportunities as their semi-final opponents, but in Kevin Volland they have a forward ready to pounce on any half-chances that will come his way.
The big occasion will bring out the best in a Portugal side that have let their focus waver at times in the group stages. With a place in the final now within touching distance, Jorge’s team will be razor-sharp in their endeavours, and with Silva pulling the strings in his nonchalant style, they’ll nick a high-scoring affair against the Germans.
Prediction: Germany 2-3 Portugal
