Germany booked a place in the European U21 final against England after beating Italy 1-0 in their semi-final in Helsingborg.

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Andreas Beck's long-range strike early in the second half was enough to eliminate the Italians and set up a rematch with England in Monday's final.

The Italians had dominated the first half, with Sebastien Giovinco at the heart of attack for Pierluigi Casiraghi's side.

The diminutive Juventus playmaker gave the Germans an early scare when his shot from 25 yards fizzed through the air and baffling Manuel Neuer, the Schalke goalkeeper recovering in time to palm the effort over the bar for a corner.

From the subsequent corner, Italy skipper Marco Motta headed against the bar and Neuer again looked unsteady as he scrambled the ball clear.

Motta later headed another chance wide, while striker Roberto Acquafresca also spurned several good opportunities.

Italy were made to pay for their profligacy just two minutes after the break, when full-back Beck was given enough time to line up a low strike from 30 yards that caught goalkeeper Andrea Consigli off guard.

Italy resumed control of the match, but were thwarted several more times, either by Neuer or a defender guarding the post at set pieces.

The Germans will now meet England in Monday's final in Malmo, just six days after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in Halmstad in their final group stage match.