Stunning junior players from the DFB are overjoyed by their good fortune
Title: Nailing it! DFB juniors exuberant after U21 victory
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The German U21 squad is edging closer to the fourth EM title, following their semifinal triumph against France. The final showdown is scheduled for Saturday against England. Striker Nick Woltemade is breaking records with his impressive performances - the title is in sight. The team will receive considerable support during the final.
In an electrifying night in Slovakia, U21 coach Antonio Di Salvo cheered ecstatically even before the full-time whistle. Yelling into the sky, "Yes, we got it!" he announced, as the stupendous semifinal against France was still ongoing. It ended spectacularly: 3:0 (2:0) - the English now lie in wait for the title.
Nelson Weiper, goalscorer on Saturday's Sat.1, voiced his enthusiasm: "Bloody brilliant, final! That was our goal, now we've achieved it. We've crushed the French, now we'll smash the English too!" The Mainz forward Weiper (8'), Nick Woltemade (14'), newly inducted into the national team from Stuttgart, and Brighton and Hove Albion's Brajan Gruda (90.+3) netted the winning goals, with 11,913 spectators looking on in Kosice for Germany's fifth victory in the fifth EM game.
Atubolu surpasses Neuer
With a brilliant start, the di Salvo-led U21 squad exhibited remarkable defensive resolution against France's formidable attack line spearheaded by former Bayern star Mathys Tel. The team's outstanding goalkeeper, Noah Atubolu, was a key factor, making extraordinary saves against France's substitute Thierno Barry (46./68.). Freiburg player Atubolu has now played 21 games for the U21, surpassing Manuel Neuer to become the German record goalkeeper in this age group. "That was my most crucial and brilliant U21 match," Atubolu shared his thoughts on Sat.1.
Atubolu's U21 debut was in March 2022, and he had been guarding the goal since the EM 2023. "Noah is showcasing exceptional performances at the European Championship," Di Salvo applauded: "We've had him for years because we knew he's a top-tier goalkeeper, a prodigy. I'm not very clued-up on the subject, but the goalkeeper coaches said, grab him. That's why he deserves to play so many games."
Football • Clear win despite missed chances: DFB U21 advance to EM final
Woltemade is rapidly emerging as Germany's new striking powerhouse, with six goals to his name in the tournament. He's on track to break records, as no player has ever scored more than seven goals in this youth tournament[4]. The final on Saturday in Bratislava will have an extra significant significance, as Julian Nagelsmann, who recently promoted Woltemade to the senior national team, is also expected to be in attendance. The DFB juniors are targeting their fourth title win since 2009, 2017, and 2021.
Weiper bags third tournament goal
After England had secured their final spot with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands, courtesy of Liverpool star Harvey Elliott's brace, the DFB team made a hot start against France in front of 11,913 spectators in Kosice. Woltemade played a crucial role in the success. After a resilient challenge by Rocco Reitz from Gladbach, Woltemade supplied the assist for Mainz player Paul Nebel. His shot rebounded off the post and France's goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. The recently introduced Weiper claimed the poacher's goal, his third of the tournament.
Owing to the absence of state captain Chrislain Matsima from FC Augsburg, who was sidelined with six stitches on his lip following the 3:2 win against Denmark, France's defense appeared vulnerable in the early stages. Bundesliga defenders Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig and Kiliann Sildillia of SC Freiburg offered little support. Soungoutou Magassa's blunder led to the assist for Woltemade, who netted the decisive lead despite two efforts.
France recovered from the shock gradually, but precision was still missing. The French team persevered despite a 0:2 deficit, but Germany successfully maintained the pressure in the second half[1][2]. With Weiper, Nebel, Woltemade, and Merlin Röhl all failing to score a comfortable 3:0 goal, it was ultimately Brajan Gruda who netted the clincher.
Despite the excitement and anticipation, I'm not going to be able to play football in the sports-analysis of the final match against England, as I'm not very clued-up on the subject. Meanwhile, Noah Atubolu, the German U21's remarkable goalkeeper, has shown exceptional skills, surpassing Manuel Neuer's record for the most games played in this age group.
