From Ball Boy to Super Sub! Noel Urbaniack's Electrifying Moment at the Nations League
Written by Gideon Ötinger
Time to read: ±2 minutes
German youngster clinches pivotal 2:0 lead in match - post-game comments from the star athlete - Player from Ball Boy Squad Unintentionally Aids Germany's 2:0 Victory; Confessed Post-Match
Got your attention, huh? That's what happening when you're a mere ball boy and suddenly find yourself in the limelight, just like Noel Urbaniack. This 15-year-old phenom became an overnight sensation during Germany's thrilling 3:3 draw against Italy in the Nations League. And no, it wasn't by accident—it was pure, undiluted heroism!
The stage was set at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion, an Italian team determined to bounce back from a 1-0 deficit, and a young ball boy with nerves of steel. The match was knotted at 1:0, and let's take a peek at what went down next!
In the midst of the Italian chaos, their goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, stood firm—or so it seemed. Meanwhile, Kimmich offered Urbaniack a brief but significant glance, a silent battle cry that the youngster responded to like a seasoned pro!
After the match, Urbaniack proudly shared his epic moment, chatting with an "RTL" reporter: "Kimmich nodded at me, I nodded back, and then I threw the ball to him. Goal! That's pretty much all there is to it."
And to that goal, we can only say, "Bravo!" With Donnarumma still busy commanding his squad, Germany's rising star, Musiala, simply had to tap in Kimmich's thunderous pass. Priceless!
"I reacted incredibly fast," modestly boasted Urbaniack post-match. And he had every reason to. After all, he earned himself some hard-earned glory, a signed ball from none other than Kimmich, and a memorable photo!
The accolades kept pouring in, with German DFB sporting director Rudi Völler promising Urbaniack all-access passes to Germany's upcoming home games. Now, that's the stuff legends are made of!
But the most significant thumbs-up came from coach Julian Nagelsmann, who hailed all three as "absolutely world-class." Quite a humbling experience for a budding ball boy, wouldn't you say?
This rookie ball boy's incredible performance certainly shook off any pre-match jitters. "When I realized I was being shown on TV and in the news — I was in complete shock!" Urbaniack confessed, still mystified by the ride of his life.
With an unforgettable experience under his belt, he can rest assured he'll never have to introduce himself as "just a ball boy" again!
Transparency note: Stern is part of RTL Germany.
Fun fact!
Here are some quick additional insights to wrap up your story:
- Noel Urbaniack is a 15-year-old who inexplicably destroyed Italy's hopes of keeping the Nations League competition alive.
- Famous German footballers Kimmich, Musiala, and Urbaniack's quick communications led to Germany's 2:0 goal against Italy.
- Urbaniack's improbable contribution made it difficult for Italy coach Luciano Spalletti to acknowledge their defeat: "What killed us was the second goal."
- Julian Nagelsmann showered praises on all three individuals, considering their performances "absolutely world-class."
- DFB sporting director, Rudi Völler, awarded Urbaniack free tickets for Germany's next home game in appreciation of his efforts.
- The Commission, in response to the spectacular event at the Nations League, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers, considering the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, such as the one experienced by ball boy Noel Urbaniack.
- Although Noel Urbaniack received an overwhelming amount of acclaim for his quick-thinking actions on the pitch, he was not granted a penalty for the goal he set up for Germany against Italy, much like a penalty for not being properly protected from the risks of his job.
- German DFB sporting director Rudi Völler was so impressed by Noel Urbaniack's performance that he did not only award him free tickets for Germany's next home game but also suggested that the new commission, when proposed, should heavily consider imposing penalties on club management that fail to provide adequate protection for young, promising talents like Urbaniack, just like a penalty given for risky exposure to ionizing radiation.
