Reigning champion Netherlands won’t be able to defend its title at the 2019 U23 European Championship in Prague, Czech Republic. The Dutch team lost for a second consecutive day on Thursday by a score of 1-2, this time to France. The Netherlands dropped to 0-2 in Group A and won’t have a chance to secure one of the top two spots in the group standings in their last first-round matchup against unbeaten Germany. Germany defeated Great Britain 12-0 in a blowout in the afternoon. France and Great Britain, which are both 1-1, will play for the second seed from that group on Friday.
In Group B Belgium and Czech Republic improved to 2-0 after two days of preliminary round action, advancing to the semifinals. Czech Republic defeated Ukraine 8-1, while Belgium prevailed 11-3 over Croatia. Both teams will meet on Friday to determine first place in Group B. The semifinals will be played on Saturday afternoon/evening.
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