European U21 Championship: Germany held by Serbia

Tournament favourites Germany had to be content with a draw against Serbia on the opening day of the European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic.

Filip Djuricic slotted Serbia ahead after a smart solo run, but Liverpool's Emre Can curled in Germany's equaliser.

Germany played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Christian Gunter was sent off, but managed to hold on to a point.

Earlier, hosts Czech Republic lost 2-1 as Denmark fought back from behind in the tournament's opening match.

Germany are hotly tipped to win the tournament for a second time, having eased through their qualifying campaign unbeaten and boasting the likes of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and midfielder Can in their squad.

But the 2009 champions lacked rhythm against an organised Serbian side, who were without a host of big-name players.

Although Liverpool forward Lazar Markovic, Anderlecht striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and ex-Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic were all missing, the Balkan nation threatened to cause a huge upset on the opening day.

Former Southampton loanee Djuricic ran through the centre of the German defence, after nutmegging an opponent to create space, before driving low past Ter Stegen to give Serbia an early lead.

However, Germany levelled when Can smartly turned away from his marker on the edge of the penalty area and clinically found the bottom corner.

Ter Stegen's instinctive fingertip save - turning Serbia captain Goran Causic's vicious 30-yard strike on to the crossbar - prevented Serbia going ahead before half-time.

The second half failed to match the excitement of the first, with neither side creating many clear-cut opportunities. Gunter's dismissal for a second yellow card - given for diving - provided hope of a memorable win to Serbia, but they were unable to make their numerical advantage count.

Danes fight back to deny host nation

The 19th edition of the tournament began earlier on Wednesday when the Czech Republic met Denmark in Prague's Stadion Eden.

Czech full-back Pavel Kaderabek put the hosts ahead, cutting in from the right flank before curling into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

But centre-back Jannik Vestergaard headed in the equaliser for Denmark, before substitute Pione Sisto poked in the winner from close range late on.

Michal Travnik thought he had claimed a point for the Czech Republic, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Germany U21

Formation 4-2-3-1

12ter Stegen
2Korb
4Ginter
16Knoche
3GünterBooked at 69mins
11Can
10LeitnerBooked at 43minsSubstituted forKimmichat 45'minutes
9Volland
20MeyerSubstituted forBittencourtat 76'minutes
19Younes
13HofmannSubstituted forSchulzat 72'minutes

Substitutes

1Leno
5Schulz
6Geis
7Bittencourt
8Malli
14Demirbay
15Gnabry
17Kimmich
18Arnold
21Klaus
22Heintz
23Horn

Serbia U21

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Dmitrovic
22Stojkovic
15Spajic
6PanticBooked at 76mins
13Petrovic
14BrasanacBooked at 54mins
7CausicBooked at 52mins
18JojicSubstituted forMilunovicat 90'minutes
10Djuricic
21SrnicSubstituted forCavricat 76'minutes
9PesicSubstituted forTrujicat 90+3'minutes

Substitutes

2Kovacevic
3Petkovic
4Mijailovic
5Cosic
8Ivanic
11Cavric
12Peric
16Milunovic
17Filipovic
19Trujic
20Cirkovic
23Stevanovic

Referee:: Javier Estrada Fernández

Match Stats

Home TeamGermany U21Away TeamSerbia U21

Possession: Home57%; Away43%

Shots: Home12; Away5

Shots on Target: Home2; Away3

Corners: Home4; Away4

Fouls: Home12; Away21

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Germany U21 1, Serbia U21 1.
90'+4'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Germany U21 1, Serbia U21 1.

90'+3'
Substitution
Substitution, Serbia U21. Nikola Trujic replaces Aleksandar Pesic.
90'+2'
Post update
Offside, Serbia U21. Nemanja Petrovic tries a through ball, but Luka Milunovic is caught offside.
90'+2'
Post update
Attempt missed. Aleksandar Pesic (Serbia U21) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Luka Milunovic with a cross.
90'
Post update
Amin Younes (Germany U21) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90'
Post update
Foul by Luka Milunovic (Serbia U21).
90'
Substitution
Substitution, Serbia U21. Luka Milunovic replaces Milos Jojic.
89'
Post update
Corner, Serbia U21. Conceded by Matthias Ginter.
87'
Post update
Corner, Germany U21. Conceded by Filip Stojkovic.
87'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Leonardo Bittencourt (Germany U21) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Amin Younes.
86'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kevin Volland (Germany U21) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Leonardo Bittencourt.
85'
Post update
Foul by Matthias Ginter (Germany U21).
85'
Post update
Nemanja Petrovic (Serbia U21) wins a free kick on the left wing.
83'
Post update
Robin Knoche (Germany U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83'
Post update
Foul by Darko Brasanac (Serbia U21).
82'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kevin Volland (Germany U21) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Amin Younes.
81'
Post update
Joshua Kimmich (Germany U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81'
Post update
Foul by Nemanja Petrovic (Serbia U21).
80'
Post update
Foul by Matthias Ginter (Germany U21).

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