Germany stuns England in U21 final

Germany U21 4 England U21 0. England's Under-21 internationals were roundly beaten last night in the finals of the European Championships in Malmo, Sweden, thanks largely to errors by their keeper Scott Loach.

Gonzalo Castro scored the first for the Germans, at the midway point of the first half, before Leach palmed a free kick from Mesut Ozil into his own net just three minutes into the second 45 minutes.

Two late goals from Sandro Wagner, one which came off the luckless Loach's legs completed the rout of England, whose suspension-ravaged team (Loach was filling in for suspended goalkeeper Joe Hart) rarely threatened the superior German side.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
David Hytner, the Guardian: "Germany effectively throttled England. The defeat was a long way from being Loach's fault, although he was also culpable in part for Germany's first and third goals. England were collectively second best while, tactically, they were outmanoeuvred. Pearce's approach was dictated by the necessity to play Theo Walcott as the lone central striker in his tried and trusted formation; Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer Campbell, the only recognised front men, were suspended. England, though, were never likely to get much hold-up work from Walcott while their efforts to play him through the channels were easily repelled."

Matt Dickinson, the Times: "Let us look on the bright side. At least these England players will not be burdened with a daft tag like the Golden Generation. Stuart Pearce will not have to worry about all that faintly ludicrous speculation linking him with Fabio Capello’s job after his team were crushed by Germany in the European Under-21 Championship final last night. A broad view of a successful tournament for England would bring garlanded mentions for Kieran Gibbs and Jack Rodwell, and no doubt valuable lessons learnt by others, including the manager, but this was an occasion when only James Milner enhanced his credentials."

Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph: "People will look for scapegoats and point accusing fingers at Scott Loach for the way he let in Mesut Ozil’s free-kick, Germany’s killer second following Gonzalo Castro’s opener. England’s problems lie deeper than that. Victory leaves the Germans as European champions at Under-17, Under-19 and now Under-21 level, reminding the Football Association of the importance of cranking up the production line of young talent. Some players have done well out here, like James Milner, Kieran Gibbs, Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell, but England boasted nobody of the class of Ozil, born in Gelsenkirchen, scene of past English pain. Ozil is a real No 10, England’s Mark Noble merely an honest, hard-working midfielder." ·