England lose to Germany on penalties again as Young Lions are dumped out of U21 European Championships in more shootout heartbreak
Nathan Redmond and Tammy Abraham the villains as England lose on spot kicks yet again
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A FAMILIAR curse struck again as England were dumped out of a tournament semi-final by rivals Germany in a penalty shootout.
After a tense, thrilling 2-2 draw in which Germany dominated possession and chances, England - with the horror of the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96 undoubtedly in their minds - were again left heartbroken from 12 yards out.
Nathan Redmond and Tammy Abraham were the villains as goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck easily swatted away soft penalties to send Germany into the Euro Under-21 final.
Germany dominated as England were prepared to defend after getting their goals.
Aidy Boothroyd's men had just 31 per cent possession and saw Germany fire in 38 shots at Jordan Pickford's goal.
England started brilliantly but missed a host of chances in the opening minutes.
Nathaniel Chalobah should have scored a header from a corner before England were denied a clear penalty.
Tammy Abraham forced German goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck into a stunning save and when Will Hughes was tripped on the follow up it looked as if England would have a spot kick - but referee Gediminas Mazeika waved it off.
Germany eventually found their footing and had chances of their own before taking the lead.
Selke managed to lose Calum Chambers in the box and leaped in the air to put Germany in front.
It didn't last long, however, as Boothroyd's men fought back before half-time.
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James Ward-Prowse sent in a beautiful corner, a feature of the game, and after a scramble the ball fell for Gray, who smartly volleyed in.
England came out of the break on top and soon had their reward, when Chelsea striker Abraham was rewarded after a tournament of toil with his first goal.
New Watford signing Will Hughes weaved through the German defence and picked Abraham out to apply the simple finish.
As the game wore on, England retreated further into a defensive shell and Germany became bolder.
England looked on course for the final but Felix Platte powered in a near-post header to level the scores and send the match into extra-time.
Germany dominated possession in the extra-periods but struggled to create many clear-cut chances as England camped inside their penalty box.
After a cagey first 15 minutes, England woke up and had a couple of decent early chances.
But John Swift headed harmlessly wide after good work on the right by Dominic Iorfa, before Callum Chambers failed to take advantage of a Pollersbeck miscue from a long Ward-Prowse free-kick.
The game should have been over when Jeremy Toljan whipped a low cross to the back post - but Nadiem Amiri failed to get any touch with the goal gaping.
And so the Three Lions found themselves in the familiar, uncomfortable spot of a semi-final penalty shootout against the Germans.
The shootout started well for England.
After German captain Max Arnold and Lewis Baker both converted the first efforts, Jordan Pickford pulled off a brilliant save from Yannick Gerhardt to put England noses in front.
But Abraham could not capitalise on the advantage and hit a terribly soft penalty down to Pollersbeck's right, which was easily saved.
Ben Chillwell, Max Meyer, James Ward-Prowse (despite Pollersbeck referencing notes he had stuffed down his sock) and Nadiem Amiri then all hit confident penalties despite the growing tension in Poland.
It was down to Redmond.
The winger, who had an excellent season at Southampton, did not look confident as the weight of the moment bore down on him.
The 23-year-old is the most experienced member of Boothroyd's squad, with 37 U21 caps and a senior England appearance.
But he hit a weak effort at a perfect height to Pollersbeck's right, and it was easily batted away, sparking jubilation amongst the Germans.
Slumped in the middle of the pitch, England players crashed out of the tournament with that all too familiar feeling.