England U21s through to final after shootout drama
Joe Hart saved a penalty in the shootout and also scored with his spot-kick
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By James Christie. |  |
Friday, 26, Jun 2009 10:35
England Under-21s are through to their first European Championship final in 25 years after beating Sweden 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Stuart Pearce's side made up for their shootout misery two years ago thanks to keeper Joe Hart, who saved a spot-kick and then scored one.
England had earlier blown a three-goal lead, with the hosts mounting a sensational second-half to force extra-time.
Striker Frazier Campbell was sent-off in extra-time for a second yellow. Hart will also miss the final after picking up a booking in the shootout for gamesmanship.
But that will be of little to concern at the moment for Pearce's side after coming through an epic semi.
England U21s looked to be heading for a comfortable victory when Martin Cranie lashed in a 15-yard drive in the first minute following a James Milner corner.
They doubled their lead on 27 minutes when another Milner corner found Nedum Onuoha who blasted the ball in from eight yards.
England's dream half was capped off on 38 minutes when Lee Cattermole's flick-on fell to Mattias Bjarsmyr who diverted the ball into his own net to make it 3-0.
But Pearce's men had a horrendous final 23 minutes which allowed the Swedes back into the match. The fightback began with Marcus Berg slotting in Guillermo Molins' cross on 67 minutes.
Eight minutes later, Toivonen curled in a stunning free-kick over the wall and into the corner to set-up a grandstand finish.
And they completed the comeback on 81 minutes when Soder cut the ball back at the far post for Berg to slot in his second.
There was more drama in extra-time with striker Campbell given his marching orders for a late challenge.
England's luck looked to be getting worse when Milner slipped and ballooned his spot-kick over in the shootout. But Hart kept his side in the game by saving Berg's penalty with his foot.
Hart then smashed home his spot-kick, with Cattermole and Adam Johnson also netting. Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Kieron Gibbs tucked home their penalties, before Molins struck the post to send England through.