"Who's yelling? We're gonna win!" Germany's sensational DFB juniors are hyped
Exceptional DFB juniors overwhelmed with good fortune
Get ready for a showdown, folks! The German U21 is gunning for its fourth EM title. After defeating France in the semi-finals, the championship is within reach as they go head-to-head with England in the final. Goal-scoring sensation Nick Woltemade is closing in on a record. This squad will receive a powerhouse crowd in Bratislava for the final showdown.
Coach Antonio Di Salvo's celebration could be heard echoing through the Slovakian night before the final whistle blew. "Alright fellas, we did it! Let's win this thing!" he hollered, even while the epic battle against France was still underway. Soon enough, it was mission accomplished: 3:0 (2:0) against the French, now it's all about sealing the title against England on Saturday.
"Amazing, we're going to the final! That's what we came here for, and we've made it. We've sent France home, now we aim to send the English packing too," said scorer Nelson Weiper on Sat.1. The Mainz player Weiper (8.), Stuttgart's new national player Nick Woltemade (14.), and Brighton & Hove Albion's Brajan Gruda (90.+3) found the back of the net in front of 11,913 spectators in Kosice for their fifth consecutive win in the tournament.
Noah Atubolu outshines Manuel Neuer
With an unforgettable start, the team under U21 coach Antonio Di Salvo showed impressive resilience against the devastating French attack, spearheaded by ex-Bayern star Mathys Tel. But they had the perfect wall in front of them – the outstanding goalkeeper, Noah Atubolu. Atubolu was outstanding not only thanks to his astounding saves against France's substitute Thierno Barry (46./68.), but he also made history in the U21 ranks. After debuting in March 2022, Atubolu joined the EM 2023 team and is now the all-time German record-holder in this age category, surpassing Manuel Neuer. "I can't believe it – today was the most important and the best U21 game I've ever played," said Atubolu on Sat.1.
Atubolu was already starting for the U21 team in March 2022, and this tournament marks his first-ever international competition. "Noah has been amazing at this European Championship," said Di Salvo. "We've had him with us for three years because we knew he was an exceptional talent. I've got no idea about records, but the goalkeeper coaches said take him. And he deserves it since he's played so many games."
Football German title dream stays alive: DFB U21 in EM final With six goals to his name, the rising German striker hope Woltemade is on track to become the fourth-highest goal scorer at a U21 EM, joining the ranks of Pierre Littbarski (1982), Luca Waldschmidt (2019), and Lukas Nmecha (2021). Setting a new record of seven goals has yet to be broken, and Woltemade has a chance to do just that. In the final on Saturday in Bratislava, Julian Nagelsmann, who recently called up Woltemade to the senior national team, is also expected to be in the crowd. The DFB juniors are aiming to claim their fourth title in 2009, 2017, and 2021.
Weiper slots home his third tournament goal
After England clinched a spot in the final with two goals from Liverpool star Harvey Elliott against the Netherlands, the German team was unstoppable in their semi-final against France before 11,913 viewers in Kosice. Woltemade played a crucial role in Germany's perfect start. After a successful tackle by the energetic Gladbach player Rocco Reitz, Woltemade set up Mainz teammate Paul Nebel. He missed the mark narrowly on the goalpost, followed by France's keeper Guillaume Restes. Shrewd poacher Weiper swooped in to complete the trick. It was his third goal of the tournament.
Without veteran captain Chrislain Matsima of Augsburg, who needed six stitches under his lip after the 3:2 win against Denmark, France's defense was exposed early on. Bundesliga defenders Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig and Kiliann Sildillia from SC Freiburg didn't offer much support. Magassa's mishaps ultimately led to Woltemade's opportunity, which Weiper transformed into a perfect assist. Woltemade needed two shots to outsmart keeper Restes, finally securing the path to the fourth final in the last five tournaments.
France regrouped after the shock and posed a serious challenge, trailing 0:2, but lacked precision. The team also adapted well to the loss of Max Rosenfelder, who picked up an injury very early on after the Italy quarter-final. "He knew something was off the moment it happened," said Di Salvo. "We feel really bad for Max. Now we need to win this for him." In contrast to the first half, Germany lessened the pressure as the contest progressed. Nebel, Weiper, Woltemade, or Röhl missed the opportunity to extend the lead to 3:0, but Gruda eventually sealed the deal.
Source: ntv.de, tno/dpa/sid
- DFB Youth
- Football
- Julian Nagelsmann
- InsightsAtubolu is renowned for his exceptional performance at the U21 European Championships, making ten clean sheets in the Bundesliga during the 2024/25 season with Freiburg, and holding a Bundesliga record for 609 minutes of unbroken clean sheets, placing him among the top 10 goalkeepers for longest clean sheet streaks in Bundesliga history. He is also the first Black goalkeeper to secure a starting spot for Germany, broken several records, and holds notable market value among goalkeepers aged 23 and under worldwide.
I'm not going to be able to do it, but I'll be eagerly watching the sports-analysis of Germany's football game against England in the final of the U21 EM, as they aim for their fourth title. The star performance of goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, who surpassed Manuel Neuer's record in the U21 ranks, will certainly be a highlight to watch during the sports-analysis.
