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European Under-21s Championship | Group Stage
Jun 23, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 

2-0

Falk Jensen (21'), Fischer (47')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Denmark Under-21s 2-0 Serbia Under 21s - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text commentary of the European Under-21 Championship match between Denmark and Serbia.
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Denmark booked their place in the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship by claiming a 2-0 win over Serbia in Prague this evening.

Rasmus Falk gave the Danes the lead in the first half when he arrived inside the box to convert Riza Durmisi's cross.

They added a second goal shortly after the break as Viktor Fischer was picked out by Pierre Hojbjerg's free kick, before slotting in a low effort from close range.

Serbia were unable to mount a comeback, as the Danes finished top of their group to reach the last four, in addition to booking a spot at next year's Olympic Games.

Find out how the action unfolded below.


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Hello everyone! Our coverage of this year's European Under-21 Championship continues with the final games of Group A. There's still plenty to be decided and any of the four teams can go through, but here we will be focusing on the events taking place in Prague, as Denmark take on Serbia.

Let's take a look at how things are looking in the group. Germany are top on four points, followed by Denmark and the Czech Republic on three and Serbia bottom of the table with one. There are lots of permutations that could happen, but a win will definitely see Denmark reach the last four, while Serbia need three points to stand a chance of going through.

There's not long left now until the start of tonight's match, so let's take a look at the players who will be lining up at the Generali Arena.



DENMARK XI: Busk, Scholz, Vestergaard, Christensen, Durmisi, Jonsson, Hojbjerg, Thomsen, Falk, Fischer, Poulsen

SERBIA XI: Dmitrovic, M. Petkovic, N. Petrovic, Spajic, Cirkovic, Kovacevic, Causic, Djuricic, Jojic, Pesic, Cavric

There we have our teams for this evening's match. Denmark have made four changes to the side that were beaten by Germany last time out. Viktor Fischer has been brought in to play up front, while Pierre Hojbjerg, Riza Durmisi and Rasmus Falk also return.

Meanwhile, there have also been four changes made by Serbia. They are able to welcome back captain Marko Petkovic from injury, along with Aleksandar Kovacevic, Aleksandar Cavric and Lazar Cirkovic. However, Darko Brasanac is forced to sit the game out through suspension.

So, how have each of these teams got on so far in the tournament? Well, Denmark began with a fine 2-1 victory over Czech Republic in their opening match, which means that should they finish level on points with the host nation, they will go progress. It didn't go well for them last time out, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to the much-fancied Germans.

Serbia got a much better result in their opener against Germany, as they managed to claim a well-earned 1-1 draw. However, it all went disastrously wrong in their second group match at the weekend, when they were thumped 4-0 by the Czechs.



As well as the action taking place at the Generali Arena, we've also got live coverage of Germany's meeting with the Czech Republic. That's sure to be another tasty match and I'll keep you up to date with the scores from there.

We are just hearing the national anthems from each country, with the start of tonight's match now just three minutes away.

KICKOFF! We are underway at the Generali Arena!

SHOT! The Serbs have made a positive start to the match and they create the first opening of the match. Cavric pinches the ball on the right and space opens up in front of him. He then bursts past a couple of challenges and to the edge of the box where he drills in a low strike that goes straight down the middle and is comfortably gathered by Busk.

Denmark have started to see a lot of the ball over the past couple of minutes, but whenever they lose it Serbia are quick to break. It really is set up to be a fascinating match and we could see a few twists and turns this evening.

A tactic from the Danes looks to be to pick out the runs of Poulsen, who is playing the furthest forward in their attack. He has almost got onto a couple of long balls over the top, but so far the Serbian defence has not been breached.

Denmark are looking a bit shaky at the back, which is no surprise given their heavy defeat to Germany. They have been caught in possession a couple of times by the Danes and only a last-ditch tackle sees Petrovic's ball over the top for Pesic cut out.

The Danes are given a great chance to get a number of players into the box as they win a free kick down the left. Hojbjerg goes across to take it, but his low delivery is poor and fails to beat the first man, leaving Serbia to clear with ease.

Once again Denmark lose the ball just outside of their box, with Djuricic beating Vestergaard to a header. He then tries to slide in Cavric, but another late block denies him. In the midst of all that, Vestergaard took a knock to his head and he has gone off to receive some treatment.

Fortunately for Denmark Vestergaard is quickly back on the pitch and able to continue. It would have been a huge blow for them to lose their captain early on, especially given his experience at senior level and at Werder Bremen.

CLOSE! Serbia are on the attack again and a long ball into the box is punched away unconvincingly by the keeper. It is then played to Jojic on the edge of the box, and he unleashes a stinging drive that takes a slight deflection and drops narrowly wide of the post.

GOAL! Denmark 1-0 Serbia (Rasmus Falk)

Denmark have been under pressure in recent minutes, but they are now in the lead and closing in on a place in the last four. Durmisi is the creator, as he gets in down the left flank, before whipping in a cross that lands perfectly for Falk to side-foot past the keeper from just a few yards out.

That goal came at a time when Serbia were on top and looking the more likely of the teams to find the back of the net. It means that Denmark are now top of Group A on six points and heading through on top of the group, with Germany and the Czech Republic's game still goalless.

Denmark are in command now and they are pressing forward in search of a second goal. Serbia look a bit shell-shocked at the moment and they quickly need to reorganize and get back to the football they were playing just a few minutes ago.

SAVE! What a fantastic save this is from Busk to keep his team ahead. Jojic had spun away from two markers and curled an effort from outside the box that was heading for the top corner, but the keeper stuck out an arm to brilliantly tip the ball over the top.

CLOSE! The Serbs create another wonderful chance to score. Djuricic is slipped in down the right-hand side of the box by Petkovic and he looks to guide an effort into the far corner. His shot beats the keeper, but it ends up heading just inches wide of the post.

Despite being behind, Serbia have played the better football in this first half. They have put together a number of fine moves and created some good chances to score, but they are missing a clinical touch in the final third.

Serbia are still trying to play their way through, but the Danish centre-back duo of Vestergaard and Christensen are holding firm. Only a win will do now for the Serbs and they will surely go for broke in the second half if they are still trailing at the break.

CHANCE! Denmark come close to killing the game off with a second goal just before half time. Hojbjerg breaks free down the right and he then whips a fine low ball across the box. Poulsen dives in trying to make contact, but he can't stretch enough to make contact and Serbia escape unharmed.

YELLOW CARD! Cirkovic picks up the first booking of the evening for a foul on Poulsen.

OFF THE POST! Once again the Danes come close to grabbing a second goal. Durmisi steps up to take a free kick 25 yards out from goal and he curls in a superb effort that has Dmitrovic beaten, before hitting the outside of the post.

There are going to be two minutes added on to the end of this first half.

CLOSE! Denmark are ending the half strongly and Falk almost adds to his tally when he spins and fires in a strike from just outside the box, that heads a few inches wide of the post. Dmitrovic was at full stretch and he would probably of had that covered if it was on target.

HALF-TIME: Denmark 1-0 Serbia

The whistle blows for half time and it's Denmark who are in the lead thanks to a strike from Rasmus Falk. As things stand, they will be going through to the semi-finals, with Serbia heading for an early exit unless they can turn things around after the break.



I can tell you that it is still goalless in the other match being played this evening between Germany and the Czech Republic. That result will ensure the Germans progress to the last four at the expense of the home nation, but a single goal from the Czechs would change everything.

Denmark ended up seeing slightly more possession in the first half, with a share of 52% of the ball. They also managed four shots on goal, with their one effort on target finding the net. Meanwhile, Serbia had three shots, forcing two saves from Jakob Jensen.

Denmark take the kick off for the second half and get the match back underway!

GOAL! Denmark 2-0 Serbia (Viktor Fischer)

Serbia really have it all to do now, as they fall two goals behind just moments into the second half. Hojbjerg's free kick from the left goes all the way through to Fischer inside the six-yard box and the Ajax youngster then takes a touch, before sliding a low effort into the net to put his team well on their way to the semi-finals.

It really is hard now to see a way back for Serbia and they need to pull a goal back quickly to stand any chance of going through. The defending from the free kick was poor and I'm sure that their manager will be so disappointed after having just spoken to his players.

YELLOW CARD! Christensen is shown Denmark's first booking of the match for a foul on Causic.

MISS! What a massive chance this is for Serbia to get back into the game. A low ball from the left is only cleared as far as Petkovic at the back post, but the captain rushes his shot and drags it wide of the target.

UPDATE! We've had a goal in this evening's other Group A match and it's Germany who have taken the lead, thanks to a strike from Nico Schulz. That means Germany will head through top of the group, with Denmark in second.

SHOT! Denmark are still looking for more goals and Fischer almost scores his second of the match with a ferocious attempt from the edge of the box that Dmitrovic tips over the bar.

CHANCE! How many more chances are the Serbs going to pass up? Jojic is slipped into the box by Djuricic and he steadies himself before looking to place a low shot into the far corner, but Busk spreads himself well to make a vital block and his defence clear the loose ball.

SUBSTITUTION: Serbia make their first change of the match, with Milunovic coming on for Cavric.

YELLOW CARD! Petrovic is cautioned by the referee for holding Poulsen back as the looked to get in behind down the right.

YELLOW CARD! Serbia's frustrations are boiling over now and Petkovic deservedly picks up a card for nasty challenge on Hojbjerg.

Serbia should have picked up their third booking in as many minutes, as Scholz hacks down Causic on the right wing. This time the referee shows some lenience, but he should have pulled out a card there.

UPDATE! Here's some interesting news from the other Group A match, as Ladislav Krejci has scored for the Czech Republic to level the scores. If they score one more, then they will be going through at the expense of the Germans.

SUBSTITUTION: Changes for both teams, as Christensen replaces Fischer for Denmark and Trujic comes on for Jojic for Serbia.

Trujic almost makes an immediate impact from the bench as he is picked out on the left following a good move. He then waits for his teammates to arrive in the box before whipping in a cross, but his final ball is poor and easily claimed by Busk.

A great comeback from Serbia is looking increasingly unlikely and there is nothing to suggest that it will change in the final minutes. The life has been sucked out of them since they conceded the second goal and it came at such a terrible time.

CHANCE! It's all Denmark at the moment and they almost crown a spell of possession with a wonderful goal. Thomsen is the man who nearly finds the net when he exchanges passes with Christensen and is slipped through the middle, but Dmitrovic is quick off his line to make a fine stop and prevent his team from going further behind.

Denmark may have been slightly edgy in the early minutes of tonight's match, but since they took the lead they have looked assured in possession and confident on the ball. The movement of their forward players has also been of the highest quality and they will certainly take some stopping in this tournament.

SUBSTITUTION: It's a third and final change of the evening for Serbia, as Pantic comes on for Cirkovic.

CHANCE! Hojbjerg comes close to wrapping things up for Denmark, as he rises highest in the box to meet a cross from the right, before directing a header wide of the post.

SUBSTITUTION: Denmark make a late change, with goalscorer Falk heading off to be replaced by Bech.

Serbia look resigned to a defeat now and Kovacevic sums up their evening with a poor free kick that doesn't come close to troubling the keeper. In the meantime, Denmark have made another change, with Norgaard replacing the impressive Hojbjerg.

There are going to be three minutes of stoppage time.

FULL-TIME: Denmark 2-0 Serbia

It's all over in Prague and Denmark have reached the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship for the first time in their history. They have also finished top of the group, with Germany and the Czech Republic playing out a 1-1 draw in tonight's other match. That's not all, as they have also booked their spot at next year's Olympic Games!

I'm afraid that's all for our coverage this evening, but there will be more action from the Under-21 Championship tomorrow, as England, Italy, Portugal and Sweden battle it out for a place in the last four. Until then, goodbye!

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Germany's forward Kevin Volland controls the ball during the 2013 UEFA U-21 Championship group B football match between Germany and Spain in the coastal city of Netanya, north of Tel Aviv, on June 9, 2013
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