By Jemma Tappenden
June 23 2009

Under 21 boss Stuart Pearce made ten changes in total from the side that beat Spain last week. Amongst the changes there was a debut for Andrew Driver, who was also eligible to play for Scotland before being snapped up by England, and starts also for Danny Rose and Jack Rodwell.

England started the brighter of the two sides, producing some decent efforts during the opening stages of the game.  Rose and Tomkins coming the closest to goal with their chances.  But totally against the run of play and with their first effort on goal the Germans took a 5 minute lead.  Jerome Boateng exposed gaps in England’s defence with a telling pass to Castro, who evaded the offside trap, made no mistake in converting his chance through the legs of Scott Loach.

England never bowed to the pressure of conceding such an early goal and continued to impress.  As the half progressed an England goal continued to look more likely and chances from Rodwell and Gardner – both free headers in the six yard box, came close.

Wolves’ Richard Stearman broke down the right flank at the mid-point of the half, and after a clever interchange of passes with Gardner could have found space for the shot.  But the number 5 went to ground in the box a little too easily and the chance went begging.

The England breakthrough finally came in the 29^th minute as an in swinging corner from Gardner was met with the powerful head of Rodwell, who converted the chance for his second England goal and England’s equaliser on the night.

The half time substitution of Joe Lewis for Scott Loach between the sticks completed appearances for all of Pearce’s 23 man squad during the competition.  Pearce urged his young side to continue to press for the win, and chances remained frequent during the second half.  Rose and Driver both looked dangerous up front.  With half an hour left to play Theo Walcott replaced Fraizer Campbell, and Gibbs came on for Driver.

Stearman came close to scoring his first England goal as the game drew to a close, but his chance from a Rose corner was blocked and deflected for another corner.  The point was enough to secure England’s place at the top of the table.  England progress to the semi finals.

Final Score: Germany 1-1 England

Castro (5)

Rodwell (29)

Attendance: 7,414