Kevin Volland strikes twice as Germany see off Denmark

Kevin Volland scored twice as Germany beat Denmark 3-0 to go top of their group at the European U21 Championships.

The Hoffenheim midfielder scored either side of half-time while Matthias Ginter also found the net to put the pre-tournament favourites on course for a place in the last eight.

The first half began in cagey fashion compared to the earlier group game between Czech Republic and Serbia.

But both sides missed golden opportunities to score with Leonardo Bittencourt failing to find the target from close range while at the other end, Yussuf Poulsen could only find the side netting when put through on goal.

Horst Hrubesch’s side grew in confidence and broke the deadlock on 32 minutes after a quick break led to Emre Can threading the ball through to Volland who produced a clinical first-time finish.

Amin Younes should have found the net soon after with a first-time effort that he put wide having earlier gone close with a lob from 25 yards.

But the Germans went up a few gears in the second half to seal victory with two goals in four minutes.

First Volland grabbed his second with a curling free-kick from 25 yards, then Ginter powered in a bullet header from Younes’ deft cross.

And it could have been more with Schalke's Max Meyer denied twice by fine saves by Busk Jensen.

The result means the winner of Germany against Czech Republic on Tuesday will qualify while the Danes can still progress if they defeat Serbia.

9’ – JONSSON SHOT! More nervy defending from Heintz and Ginter this time, the ball falls to Jønsson 20 yards out but he drags his effort wide.

13’ – GERMANY MISS! What a chance for Germany! Volland with a deft touch to control the ball on the edge of the box, he slides it through to Bittencourt who blazes his effort over from eight yards out.

14’ – POULSEN SHOT: Poulsen is through on goal and from a tight angle finds the side netting.

27’ – YOUNES CHIP: A good move involving Meyer results in Younes trying a chip from 25 yards that skims the post, a great effort.

32’ - GOAL! Germany U21s 1-0 Denmark U21s. What a slick passing move with Caan threading the ball through to Vollande who tucks the ball in first time.

39’ – GERMANY CHANCE: Younes with a first-time effort which he places just wide after a slick passing move, he really should have found the target from there.

49’ - GOAL! Germany U21s 2-0 Denmark U21s. Volland scores with the free-kick after curling it into the bottom right corner from 30 yards, what a strike.

53’ - GOAL! Germany U21s 3-0 Denmark U21s Younes with a cross with the outside of his boot and Ginter with a bullet header inside the six yard box.

59’ – MEYER CHANCE: Younes with a through ball to Meyer, whose half volley is smashed into the side netting from eight yards out.

Germany win for the first time in five matches despite being billed as tournament favourites.

Denmark had not tasted defeat in their previous five games.

Did Germany justify their tag as pre-tournament favourites? In the first half they began slowly and were a shambles at the back. But they slowly grew in confidence and in the second half cranked up the pressure at the right time to ease to a comfortable victory. You get the feeling there is more to come from this German team - but they still have to avoid defeat against the Czech Republic on Tuesday to progress.

Kevin Volland (Germany U21s): The Hoffenheim midfielder scored two well taken goals to mark him out as a player to watch out for in the future. His run was perfectly timed for the first goal as well as the finish. And his free-kick from 30 yards was brilliantly executed.

Germany U21s: Ter Stegen 6, Korb 6, Ginter 6, Heintz 5, Schulz 5, Can 8, Kimmich 6, Bittencourt 5, Meyer 7, Younes 7, Volland 9. Subs: Geis 5, Gnabry 5, Klaus 5.

Denmark U21s: Busk 7, Knudsen 6, Vestergaard 6, Christensen 7, Scholz 6, Jønsson 6, Vigen 4, Thomsen 5, Sisto 5, Poulsen 5, Brock-Madsen 4. Subs: Bech 5, Fischer 5.