Only pride will be at stake on Wednesday when Russia and Germany meet in their final Group B clash of the European Under-21 Championships in Israel.

Both sides have lost their opening two matches of the competition, with Spain and the Netherlands booking their spot in the semi-finals with one match to spare.

Russia began their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Spain, before they were thumped 5-1 by the Netherlands on Sunday.

Germany, meanwhile, conceded in the last minute in their opening group match against the Netherlands to lose 3-2, before reigning champions Spain struck late on to make it back-to-back defeats in Israel.

The clash on Wednesday will be the first time that Russia and Germany have met at this level of competition, but Russia were 2-1 winners when the pair met in a friendly match in 2003.

Russia were European champions as part of the Soviet Union in both 1980 and 1990, but this year is their first appearance as an independent nation under the current format. Germany, however, were champions in 2009, but they failed to qualify for Denmark last time out.

Russia will be without the services of Nikita Chicerin, who saw red in the defeat to the Netherlands on Sunday. That could allow Denis Cheryshev to come into the side, while senior international Alan Dzagoev should keep his place in attack.

Germany, meanwhile, could ring the changes for their last match of the competition with Lasse Sobiech and Patrick Funk both pushing for starts. However, Lewis Holtby is once more expected to skipper the side.

Recent form:

Russia: WDWLL

Germany: DDWLL

Possible lineups:

Russia: Zabolotni; Tsallagov, Schennikov, Burlak, Petrov; Cheryshev, Shatov, Smolov, Panyukov; Yakovlev, Dzagoev

Germany: Leno; Jantschke, Thesker, Rudy, Rode; Volland, Funk, Sobiech, Holtby; Herrmann, Clemens

Sports Mole says: 1-2

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