England retain Euro Under 21 title after Rowe extra time goal sinks Germany

BRATISLAVA - Jonathan Rowe came off the bench to score an extra-time goal which gave holders England a 3-2 win over Germany in the Under-21 European Championship final on Saturday after they had let slip a two-goal lead.

Lee Carsleys side retained the title won two years ago which brings Englands total haul to four, but they were pushed all the way by a German side who came into the final as favourites and had beaten England in the group stage.

Im so happy for them; to be European champions for the second time is a great achievement and the challenge now is to do it again in two years, Carsley told Channel 4.

Im going to try and enjoy tonight. Its important. I love my job, Im very proud of the job I do, I love working with the players. Its important they have a shandy or two tonight.

England took the lead in the fifth minute when Omari Hutchinson had his effort saved by the keeper and a defensive clearance fell to Harvey Elliot who had time and space to pick his spot and steer a low shot inside the near post.

Elliot began the move for Englands second goal with a chipped pass into the path of James McAtee and when the midfielder found his route blocked by two defenders he laid off the ball to Hutchinson who drilled his strike through the keepers legs.

Hutchinson somersaulted away in celebration after his 24th-minute goal but Germany pulled one back in added time before the break. Paul Nebel crossed from the wing and Nelson Weiper rose unchallenged to power a header past England keeper James Beadle.

The equaliser came in the 61st minute from a corner kick which went all the way to Nebel, out wide in the