KEIR RADNEDGE in PRAGUE: The dreams of hosts Czech Republic came to an end at the UEFA U21 Euro as Germany and Denmark clinched the top two places and thus semi-final slots from Group A.

Germany withstood a late rally from the Czechs to clinch second place with a 1-1 draw while Denmark dismissed forlorn Serbia 2-0, both matches in Prague.

Semi-final places not only fired Germans and Danes forward in the European under-21 event but guaranteed places in the Olympic Games football tournament in Rio de Janeiro next year.

They will know their semi-final opponents late tonight after the concluding games in Group B. England face Italy in Olomouc, deep in Moravia, with group leaders Portugal playing Sweden in Uheske Hradiste, down towards the Slovak border.

If England finish in the top two then, since Britain will not play at the Olympics, a playoff will be needed between the two third-placed teams to settle the last place in Rio.

Germany took the lead in Slavia’s Eden Stadium through the outstanding Nico Schultz. Ladislav Krejci struck a super late equaliser but that was as close as the Czechs came in front of this years top attendance of 18,068.

At Letna Stadium Denmark comfortably beat Serbia with goals from Rasmus Falk and Viktor Fischer.

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