Prague: Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico has written to European soccer governing body Uefa requesting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his country's group-stage exit from the European Under-21 Championship.

Slovakia were eliminated after Italy beat Germany 1-0 on Saturday in the tournament in Poland, a result that allowed both teams to progress to the semi-finals from Group C.

The scoreline was the only one that could have sent both teams through and Fico labelled the match a "farce", comparing it to the 1982 World Cup game between West Germany and Austria. Fico's comments, following similar complaints by Slovakia coach Pavel Hapal, were rejected by both German and Italian team officials.

"Slovak football talents did everything with regard to sporting performance to win advancement to the next phase of the tournament," Fico wrote in an open letter to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

"What they were not prepared for, though, was the farce performed by players from countries advanced in football - Italy and Germany. The resulting situation reminded me of the 1982 World Cup when Germany and Austria played out a similarly unworthy spectacle at the expense of Algeria."

Italy's coach Luigi Di Biagio told reporters that the allegations were "ridiculous".

Twelve teams are taking part, divided into three groups. The winners qualified for the semi-finals along with the best second-placed team, which turned out to be Germany. (REUTERS)