Residential area disturbances around Woltemade - Di Salvo: Not cited as the cause
A Bitter Pill to Swallow for U21 German Squad
With mournful expressions etched on their faces, the German U21 squad exited the Bratislava stadium, defeated in their pursuit of the EM title. Despite the disappointing outcome, coach Antonio Di Salvo expressed pride in his team. "I'm a proud coach of a U21 team that's significantly progressed over the last two years, boasting strong team spirit, playing attractive football, and winning the hearts of many Germans," Di Salvo lamented after the nail-biting loss to England.
In the comfort of loved ones, the team that had valiantly fought back from a 0:2 deficit, including Nick Woltemade, who's rumored to be Bayern Munich-bound, tried to find solace in the night. Their vision of a triumphant conclusion to their luxurious Danube hotel stay was far from realized.
"There's a void and little sense of accomplishment right now," defender Tim Oermann admitted. "We didn't shine. I thought it was an extraordinary journey, and the disappointment stems from the fact that it was such an incredible time." The German U21 team, undefeated for 20 games since their 2021 EM loss to England, succumbed to the defending champions yet again, 2:3 (2:2, 1:2), in an exhilarating final after extra time. A goal-bound strike by Mainz's Paul Nebel on the brink of regular time could have altered the outcome.
Diet Mainz Striker Strikes Twice
Mainz's Nelson Weiper (45.+1 minute) and Nebel (61.) gave the German team hope with their goals after the disheartening deficit. Liverpool sensation Harvey Elliott (5.), bestowed as the tournament's MVP, and Omari Hutchinson (24.) had earlier put England in the lead. The decisive blow was struck in extra time by substitute Jonathan Rowe (92.).
Seasoned newcomer Woltemade put forth his best effort, but a goal or assist eluded him. Speculations swirling about his desire to join Bayern Munich this summer were not cited as the reason for his lack of scoring. With a resigned grin, Woltemade accepted the award for top scorer.
Di Salvo: Useless "Noise" Not Factor
"First and foremost, I'm unsure if the rumors even hold any weight. But they didn't influence the team because they chose to focus on the game, not the gossip," Di Salvo explained. "And Nick, naturally, caught wind of the chatter, but our conversation was positive, and there was no discord," he added. "In the end, our poor start was the deciding factor. The distractions served as unnecessary noise, but they didn't lead to our loss."
"The German U21 team, despite their defeat in the EM final, have demonstrated significant growth over the past two years, showcasing strong team spirit and playing attractive football, much like a well-oiled Champions League team."
"Despite Nick Woltemade's unsuccessful attempt to score against the defending champions in the European Leagues, his performance was reminiscent of a striker in the premier football leagues, such as the Champions League or other European leagues."
