Young Gun Ernst Ready to Shine for Deprived U21 Side
Family's U21 Goalkeeping Legacy Strengthens: A Kinship for Kicking and Saving - Family Tradition Continues: Young Goalkeeper Steps Up in U21 Team After Senior's Injury
Football-EM's Atubolu may be down, but Tjark Ernst is eager to step up and grab his chance in the U21 squad, lacking their regular goalkeeper Noah due to illness. With Manuel Neuer deputy Jonas Urbig locked down with FC Bayern at the Club World Cup in the USA, Hertha's Tjark Ernst is poised to make his second U21 international appearance.
"Grown amidst football royalty"
National coach Antonio Di Salvo praised Tjark Ernst's progress, stating, "He's been growing steadily over the past one and a half years. You can see the time spent at a traditional club, where things didn't always go smoothly, has helped him mature." The third keeper in the team is Fürth's Nahuel Noll, yet to debut for this squad.
Ernst, the son of former Bundesliga goalkeeper Thomas Ernst, has found a stable footing at Hertha Berlin II, the Berlin second-division club. "In the early days as a young goalkeeper, it's crucial to have the trust of your team," Tjark remarked before the tournament. "It's easier to perform when you clearly know you're the sole number one."
Ernst: All about fulfilling the role
Stefan Leitl, Hertha's coach, reinstated Ernst as the primary goalkeeper. After a short stint sitting on the bench for Marius Gersbeck, Ernst was Hertha's undisputed number one in 2024. "As a goalkeeper, when you're in, you often stay in. It's different for field players," said Ernst, a descendant of long-serving Bundesliga goalkeeper Thomas Ernst.
At least within the club. "During tournaments, all 23 players are regular starters. Everyone believes they deserve to play. But it's essential that everyone also plays their role well," said the Hertha goalkeeper, who made a Bundesliga appearance in May 2023.
With Atubolu unable to attend the final training in Modra due to illness, Di Salvo urged caution ahead of the weekend's quarterfinal against Italy or Spain. Atubolu showed promise in the 3-0 victory over Slovenia and the 4-2 win against the Czech Republic.
- Football-EM
- Antonio Di Salvo
- England
- Nitra
- Hertha BSC
- International match
- Absence
- Thomas Ernst
- Di Salvo
- FC Bayern
- USA
- Sat.1
Behind the Scenes:
Tjark Ernst is a budding German football goalkeeping talent, born on March 15, 2003. Currently playing for Hertha BSC in the 2. Bundesliga, he's been earmarked as a possible replacement for Noah Atubolu in the Germany U21 national team[1][4].
Ernst garnered a call-up to the 26-man provisional squad for the U21 European Championship, alongside Atubolu, Nahuel Noll, and Johannes Schenk[5], suggesting that he's a strong contender for a backup role or possibly replacing Atubolu in the future.
In brief, Tjark Ernst is a gifted young German goalkeeper, gaining professional experience at Hertha BSC, with a burgeoning career in the national youth setups and primed to support or potentially replace Atubolu in the U21 squad[1][4][5].
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, urging caution in the football industry, especially with the recent absences due to illness. Antonio Di Salvo, the national coach, has praised Tjark Ernst's progress, who, similar to the sophisticated sports-analysis methods, has shown maturity and received professional training at Hertha BSC.
