Germany Under-21s match-winner Andreas Beck believes they are now favourites to go on and win the European Championships.

They eliminated Italy in the semi-final on Friday.

A goal from the Hoffenheim full-back was enough to defeat Italy in Helsingborg and take Horst Hrubesch's side a step closer to their first under-21 European Championships crown since 1982 when the likes of Rudi Voller and Pierre Littbarski were in the team.

And Beck claims Germany did not come so far only to fall at the final hurdle.

"We told ourselves that we would go through and we will then also win the final," said the 22-year-old.

"That was a great feeling - it's not all that often that I score a goal.

"I just saw the goalkeeper in front of me and let rip."

Germany face England in the final in Malmo on Monday and have the chance of completing a hat-trick of youth competition victories after succeeding at under-17 and under-19 level already.