The German U21 national team has regained top spot in the European Championship qualifiers with its fifth win in six matches.

Coach Antonio Di Salvo’s side beat Israel 2:0 (1:0) in front of 4766 spectators in Halle/Saale on Tuesday to climb back to first place. The German Football Association team also benefited from the slip-up of rivals Poland, who had previously lost 1-0 to Bulgaria.

Brajan Gruda from FSV Mainz 05 (14th minute) and Merlin Röhl (56th) scored for the hosts, who showed a good reaction four days after the 0-0 draw against Kosovo. The European Championship qualifiers continue in September with a catch-up match in Israel and a game in Estonia.