With one group game left for each country everyone still had something to fight for. The top two teams qualified not only for the semi finals of the competition but also qualified for the Under 17 World Cup in Mexico. Whoever finished third in each group would also win a place in the World Cup, starting June 18.
Group A
Top spot was already decided. After beating both Serbia and England Denmark were guaranteed to finish top of the group but this didn't stop them from wanting to finish the group off in style. Despite making numerous changes from the side that beat champions England a strike from Lyngby midfielder Christian Norgaard ensured the Danes went into the knockout stage with a 100% record. France knew victory would ensure they progressed as group runners up but they just couldn't get past a well drilled Danish defence and at the final whistle mini Les Bleus were hoping Serbia has managed to beat England.
England knew victory was a must if they wanted to keep hold of the title they won last year for a little longer and totally blitzed Serbia who had only managed one point from their first two matches. After 20 minutes England were already 3-0 up due to goals from Everton's Hope Hallam, who scored twice, and Liverpools Brad Smith who opened the scoring after four minutes, at the end of the match the players knew they had made it. Due to kicking off later than the teams in Group B England knew they were to face Holland in the semi finals.
Group B
Like Denmark, Holland were already guaranteed top spot of the group and also decided to ring the changes in their last match against Czech Republic. With the other three teams hoping to take second place the Czechs knew they had a chance to progress, the Dutch however weren't going to let them have their own way. Despite all the chances neither side managed to get that elusive opener so in the end they had to settle for a 0-0 draw. This result meant the winner of Romania v Germany would progress as group runner up. The Germans haven't really hit the ground running this tournament while the Romanians have been rank outsiders but both gave their all for victory and it could've gone either way but it was Germany who got the three points. Bayer Leverkusens Samed Yesil got his second goal of the tournament, and this strike mean't victory and second spot was assured.
So now we know the semi finalists. Group A winners Denmark will take on Germany while Group B winners Holland have a tough match against holders England. Both matches take place on Thursday at the Stadion Karadorde, Novi Sad with the final being played at the same venue on Sunday.
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