Germany have booked a place in the final of this year’s Under-21 European Championship, having smashed past their counterparts from France in the semifinals.
Nelson Weiper broke the deadlock less than eight minutes into the game, and Nick Woltemade doubled Germany’s lead six minutes later. The final score was set by Brajan Gruda, three minutes into the second-half stoppage time.
Teams
Germany coach Antonio Di Salvo arranged his boys in a 4-4-2 shape, with Weiper and Woltemade up front, midfielders Eric Martel and Rocco Reitz covered the central areas and had Ansgar Knauff and Paul Nebel out wide. Centre-backs Maximilian Rosenfelder and Bright Arrey-Mbi were flanked by Nnamdi Collins and Nathaniel Brown, with Noah Atubolu in goal.
Meanwhile, with France boss Gerald Baticle opting for 4-2-3-1, Guillaume Restes was between the posts, shielded by a back four consisting of centre-backs Castello Lukeba and Soungo-utou Magassa, Quentin Merlin on the left and Kilian Sildillia. Djaoui Cisse and Ismael Doukoure paired up in the middle of the park, and further up, the trio of Matthis Abline, Johann Lepenant and Wilson Odobert supported striker Mathys Tel.
Match recap
Germany came out of the dressing room lightning‑fast and took control in the early stages. In the 8th minute, Weiper pounced on the rebound after Nebel’s shot was tipped onto the bar, guiding it home to make it 1‑0. Just six minutes later, the swift front‑line duo struck again — Weiper set up Woltemade, who tapped in from close range after his first shot was saved by Restes, extending Germany’s lead to 2‑0.
France attempted to regroup, but Germany’s defence held firm. Goalkeeper Atubolu was tested by Cisse and Atubolu before the break, but to no effect.
As the second half kicked off, France introduced Thierno Barry; he immediately threatened, heading hard within a minute, only to be denied by Atubolu again. Around the 68th minute, Barry struck again with a fierce header, but Atubolu produced another superb block. Shortly thereafter, substitute Merlin Rohl for Germany unleashed a chance well‑saved by Restes.
Throughout the middle period, Germany absorbed French pressure and hunted on the break. Substitutions followed — Siebert and Wanner replaced Nebel and Reitz, while France rolled out fresh legs. France’s mounting momentum saw a Barry header strike the post during added time, but Germany sealed the deal in the 93rd minute. Paul Wanner’s incisive cross found Gruda, whose tap‑in, after a VAR check, made it 3‑0.
That third goal extinguished any lingering hope for France, ensuring Germany advanced in commanding fashion, taking momentum and confidence into the final.
Into the final
Germany’s win sets up a final showdown with England, pitting the last two champions – Germany in 2021 and England in 2023 – against each other.
It will mark their second clash in Slovakia, with the Young Lions having fallen 2-1 to Germany in their Group B meeting on 18 June.
Both nations boast three titles in this competition. Germany routed England 4-0 in the 2009 final, while England edged West Germany 5-4 on aggregate to claim the 1982 crown.
England beat Netherlands in the other semifinal, with Harvey Elliott scoring twice, either side of a Noah Ohio strike for the Dutch.
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